The endangered mountain gorillas of Central Africa already face poaching, agricultural encroachment, and deforestation. Now there’s another threat to add to the list: two potentially fatal viruses that could be passed from humans to gorillas and other primates (including chimpanzees and orangutans) as easily as the common cold. HRSV (human respiratory syncytial virus) and HMPV […]
In mid-March, just as the United States dropped China from its list of the world’s worst human rights abusers, police in Lhasa enacted a brutal crackdown against pro-Tibet demonstrators and monks. The protests, which started as a series of peaceful marches by Buddhist monks, called for Tibetan independence from decades of tyrannical Chinese rule. Once […]
I always err on the side of optimism when it comes to tourism. After all, I am an avid traveler and have been for the past decade or so. I am bombarded by stories on how ecotourism has saved such and such endangered species or natural resource. However, tourism can be a double-edged sword bringing […]
Noshaq peak, sitting at 7492 meters above sea level, is Afghanistan’s highest peak and the second highest peak in the Hindukush range. Between 1960 and 1978, Noshaq saw 32 successful ascents and the first winter ascent of a peak greater than 7000 meters. In recent years however, Noshaq has been absent of mountaineers; the route […]
The world’s largest fish—the whale shark—is among several species of migratory sharks recently singled out for protection by the UN due to severely declining populations and threatened status. At a December 2007 conference hosted by the Government of Seychelles, NGOs, fisheries and governments agreed “in principle” to promote conservation efforts for whale, basking, and great […]
A year ago, the white sands of Nyali beach, a coastal resort area north of Mombasa, were dotted with European tourists, strolling, swimming, tanning and spending money. The winter high season usually sees fully booked hotels, maxed out safari tours and daily flights chartering in thousands of travelers in search of the exotic. Today, the […]
With California fiscally drowning deeper into the red, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently proposed a round of painful budget cuts in an attempt to close an eye-popping, $14.5 billion projected deficit. The Governor’s plan to shutter 48 parks and beaches in California’s prized state park system stands out as among the most controversial of the reductions. […]
In an attempt to entice tourists to the military-ruled country, Burma’s Ministry of Culture has reopened the Thiri Zeya Bumi Bagan Golden Palace. The palace—whose reconstruction began several years ago—is one of the most impressive remnants of the ancient city of Bagan, which flourished as a Buddhist center from the 11th to the 13th centuries. […]
Advancements in communications technology make it easier than ever for the globetrotting traveler to stay connected and keep in touch. However, the shortening product lifecycles of the latest cell phones, PDAs, and notebook computers translate directly into increasing amounts of obsolete electronics piling up in a landfill near you. The consequences aren’t pretty. So-called electronic […]
