UNESCO says, Great Barrier Reef should be put on list of World Heritage Sites

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The Great Barrier Reef should be put on a list of World Heritage Sites that are in danger due to damage caused by climate change, says UNESCO.

The UN’s cultural body says the world’s biggest coral reef system should be downgraded to the list at a meeting next month. It has urged Australia to take accelerated action on global warming. But, the Australian government said it would strongly oppose the recommendation.

The latest row is part of an ongoing dispute between Unesco and the Australian government over the status of the iconic site.

The reef, stretching for 2,300km off Australia’s north-east coast, gained World Heritage ranking in 1981 for its enormous scientific and intrinsic importance.