While the Galapagos last week controversially left the United Nations list of world heritage sites in danger, the Everglades and Madagascar’s forests have now been added.

The addition of the Everglades (pictured) is particularly sad, as it was only removed from the danger list by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2007. Since then though water flow to the US National Park has dropped massively and nutrient pollution has shot up.

Illegal logging and lemur hunting is behind the addition of the Rainforests of Atsinanana to the list. At its meeting in Brazil last week the UNESCO heritage committee pointed the finger of blame at the Madagascan government, saying, “despite a decree outlawing the exploitation and export or rosewood and ebony, Madagascar continues to provide export permits for illegally logged timber”.

New additions to the general list of world heritage sites have also been made:

Papahānaumokuākea islands off Hawaii

The central highlands of Sri Lanka

Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania

Bulgaria’s Pirin National Park (extension)

China Danxia

Kiribati’s Phoenix Islands Protected Area

The “pitons, cirques and remparts” of Reunion Island

Mexico’s prehistoric caves of Yagul and Mitla

Spain’s Palaeolithic Rock-Art Ensemble in Siega Verde

Image: a Great Egret in the Everglades / detail from National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf.