Deciding where to go for your summer hols? Well, you can cross the Galapagos Islands off your wishlist - the islands have been Ecuador's most popular attraction but Unesco may soon be taking the step of listing these as "in danger" and invasive species, growing tourism and immigration have been largely blamed for this. Situated in the Pacific Ocean, the site is called a unique living museum and showcase of evolution. Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, declared the islands at risk in April and claims they are suffering an environmental and social crisis and need restrictions on tourist and residency permits. However, Unesco's World Heritage Committee chairman, Mr Te Heuheu, explains that, "A site in danger doesn't mean to say we've lost the benefit of the site. It simply means that there are some matters that need to be tended to with the support from international bodies like Unesco." The 19 islands were given World Heritage site status by Unesco in 1978 and declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1985 and this was extended in 2001 to include 70,000km squared of ocean surrounding the islands. There are already 31 world heritage sites on the danger list.
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