Treasure World Leh Old Town and The Coral Triangle

- Leh Old Town, Ladakh, India 

Ancient capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh, Leh Old Town is intact and rare medieval city in the Himalayans. This endangered tourist locale known for multiday treks between monasteries, as well as the rich diversity of exotic wildlife including endangered species like snow leopard. In the modern, changing weather patterns, including heavy rains that damaged the city, which is not built to withstand these conditions. In addition, the development and modernization while trying to maintain a balance of traditional architecture is proving to be a difficult task.

The rescue mission: Civil infrastructure must be improved in Ladakh, and the World Monument Fund has delineated a series of steps to be taken in order to save the old city, including improved maintenance and operating loss for the remaining buildings, many of which are in poor condition.

- The Coral Triangle, Sulu and Sulawesi Seas 

Located in the sea between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, the Coral Triangle is the richest variety of coral reefs, plants and animals that live in the world, with more than 450 species of corals are found here. Tourists from around the world come to this place endangered to dive and see turtles nesting. A study from John Hopkins University, however, found that about 70% of coral reefs in the seas of Southeast Asia are threatened with extinction. Culprits responsible for the damage to the reefs include fishing practices that use explosives and cyanide, as well as the general overfishing, coral bleaching, sedimentation, and pollution.

The rescue mission: One way to protect coral reefs is to implement the Marine Protected Area (MPA). MPAs promote responsible fisheries and habitat protection. Their purpose is to protect and maintain the reefs and assist them in many endangered marine life in the same way as national parks are managed.