Mt. Fuji's UNESCO status is at risk from over-tourism. Fuji became a World Heritage site in 2013. There is a post-covid tourist boom in Japan. Many visitors are heading for Fuji-san, which is sacred in Japan. Many Japanese hope to climb it at least once in their lives. The climbers are causing environmental damage on the mountain. Litter is everywhere, and many parking lots have been built. These are an eyesore on the mountain's once-perfect habitat.
A local official said Fuji faces a crisis because of uncontrollable tourism. He said Fuji might become so unattractive that nobody will climb it. He added: "Fuji-san is screaming in pain…we need to tackle over-tourism now." The mountain has seen a 50 per cent jump in visitors since 2013. Another headache for authorities is "bullet climbers" – people who climb Fuji in 24 hours. They risk getting altitude sickness. The climbing season has now ended.
Try the same news story at these levels:
Over-tourism - Level 5 or Over-tourism - Level 6
Sources- https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14978598
- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/02/japan/warn-mt-fuji-climbing-visitors/
- https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230616/p2a/00m/0na/008000c
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