Moon Joins World Heritage Risk List Amid Rise In Space Activities NASA Lunar Sites

“The purpose of including the Moon in this catalog is to document humanity’s first steps beyond Earth, an important moment in our shared history,” said Benedict de Montlaur, President and CEO of the WMF. It has become even more important to preserve the historical sites on the Moon because the preservation of these sites is in danger.

According to the information, there are more than 90 historical sites on the Moon which are related to humanity’s presence in space. One of these important sites is Tranquility Base which witnesses humanity’s first steps on the Moon. Here, traces of Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon and more than 100 objects related to the Apollo 11 mission are preserved.

At the same time, WMF has also mentioned many such places in its list which are being affected by natural disasters, climate change and war. These sites include the historic urban structure of Gaza and the Teachers’ House in Kiev, which have been seriously damaged by the Russia-Ukraine war.

This report has been released at a time when SpaceX launched two private robotic landers on the Moon from Florida. NASA’s Artemis program is also planning to send humans back to the Moon by the end of this decade and establish a permanent settlement there, which will pave the way for a Mars mission.

Benedict de Montlaur said, “Objects on the Moon are facing increasing danger because the activities taking place there are not following adequate measures for conservation.” Active and collaborative strategies are needed to protect these historical objects on the Moon.

At the same time, WMF has also mentioned many such places in its list which are being affected by natural disasters, climate change and war. These sites include the historic urban structure of Gaza and the Teachers’ House in Kiev, which have been seriously damaged by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The World Heritage Fund has contributed more than $120 million to approximately 350 Watch sites since 1996. Apart from this, due to the publicity given to the places by the list, an amount of more than 300 million dollars has been received, which has helped in the conservation of these places.