Cambodia's ancient temples at Angkor Wat are under threat fromthe large numbers of tourists who are now visiting the site.(Photo: CCTV.com)07-01-2008 09:03
Cambodia's ancient temples at Angkor Wat are under threat from the large numbers of tourists who are now visiting the site.
There are fears that ongoing damage to the temple's soft stone may mean they could eventually be destroyed. The government is making efforts to preserve the site, but experts warn that time is running out.
Cambodia's temples at Angkor Wat are considered among the best surviving examples of ancient religious architecture in the world.
Lost to the jungle for centuries, the temples were rediscovered in 1860 by French botanist Henri Mouhot.
For many Cambodians, Angkor Wat represents the heart and soul of the nation.
The temples were built about a thousand years ago. Relief work on the walls tell of the many threats the ancient empire survived throughout the centuries.
But today a new threat to the temples comes from mass tourism - thousands of tourists now visit the area every day.
Professor Jacques Gaucher has been excavating the walls of the ancient city for five years. He says the main problem is the transport the tourists use when visiting Angkor Wat, as vehicle pollution affects the stone.
The authorities say they are working hard to protect the temples. Some stairways have now been boarded-over and other areas are closed to tourists. But professor Gaucher says long term planning is needed to protect the site.
With tourist numbers at Angkor Wat growing every year most agree that more needs to be done if the temples are to be protected for future generations.
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