They want to build an amusement park near Angkor Wat: Unesco's concern

An amusement park is being planned in Cambodia near the ancient temple of Angkor Wat, the spectacular 12th-century Khmer temple that is the Asian country’s most famous monument and the largest religious monument in the world, and now there is therefore concern about the impact the park could have. Expressing concern is evenUNESCO, which has officially taken a position.

But let’s go in order: the park is a project of a Hong Kong company, NagaCorp, which owns a hotel and casino in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, and would now like to build a resort called “Angkor Lake of Wonder” that will rise to the south of the archaeological park, on an area of 187 acres. NagaCorp’s investment is $350 million, and it is scheduled for completion in 2025.When the park is completed, its users will be able to entertain themselves with a water park, a garden complex, a theme park with virtual reality attractions, bars and restaurants, and a nightlife area. There will also be two hotels.

The government of Cambodia reassures by letting it know that the complex will not impact the Angkor Wat site, but UNESCO does not take the same view. “The proximity of the project to the site’s buffer zone,” Unesco says, alluding to the protection zone that extends around the site and is a factor, valid for all World Heritage sites, in order to be listed, “as well as the size, scope and concept of the activities planned could have an impact on the outstanding universal value for which Angkor has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this also applies to its site, the surrounding landscape, environment and archaeological remains, which form an integral part of this world heritage.”

Unesco, the United Nations high organization for culture points out, “is in close dialogue with the authorities of Cambodia, with whom it has continued to work since 1992 to protect the site and its surroundings [...]. Unesco is confident that the Cambodian authorities will continue their full commitment to implementing the World Heritage Convention and will ensure that the protection of Angkor’s outstanding universal value remains at the heart of decision-making processes concerning the site and its surroundings.” Unesco concludes by letting it be known that the case will be further considered at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, during which new heritage entries and possible exclusions will be sanctioned, and which will be held between June and July. Angkor has been part of the World Heritage since 1992.

They want to build an amusement park near Angkor Wat: Unesco's concern

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.