Vocabulary
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swath |
/ swäTH/ n. - a broad strip or area of something: "Vast swaths of the countryside" |
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unique |
/ yo͞oˈnēk/ adj. - being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else: "The situation was unique in modern politics" |
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reserve |
/ rəˈzərv/ v. -To keep back, as for future use or for a special purpose: The hospital reserves certain drugs for the most serious ... |
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conservation |
/ ˌKänsərˈvāSH (ə) n/ n. - prevention of wasteful use of a resource: "… The government must take action to promote energy conservation" |
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tackle |
/ ˈTak (ə) l/ v. - make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task): "… Police have launched an initiative to tackle rising crime" |
Comprehension Questions
What is a swath?
What has the Thailand Cabinet approved of regarding its swath of coastline?
What does the site comprise of?
What is the world's first biosphere reserve? How did UNESCO describe the place?
What is UNESCO committed to doing for our planet?
Article
A large swath of coastline in Southern Thailand has been approved by the Cabinet to be a potential new UNESCO World Heritage site. This area runs along the Andaman sea from Phuket up through Phang nga and Ranong, and much of it is an already approved nature reserve and national parkland.
The total site comprises around 1,160 square kilometers. A government spokesperson said that this land was chosen because of the many natural wonders that exist there, including unique geological and aquatic environments that the government wants to see protected. The area is also especially biodiverse and features a large mangrove swamp and a breeding ground for sea turtles.
It also encompassed Laem Son National Park, the world's first biosphere reserve, which UNESCO describes as “a learning place for sustainable development” where biodiversity management practices are tested. This means that experiments in conservation that take place in the park can be transformed into knowledge that is shared with the rest of the world.
The spokesperson added that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will make a formal proposal to the Paris-based UNESCO World Heritage Center, and the land would be on the official organization list by 2023 if approved.
UNESCO is committed to progressing scientific understanding of the world, according to their website. They believe that promoting international cultural and scientific cooperation is one of the best ways to tackle the many problems that our planet faces.
SOURCE: Luke Albers, https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-coast-along-the-andaman-eyed-to-be-unesco-world-heritage-site