12 historic sites worldwide on the verge of vanishing

Twelve historic sites around the world have been identified to be at risk of irreparable loss because of mismanagement and neglect, a new report has suggested.

The report, by San Francisco-based Global Heritage Fund (GHF), identifies nearly 200 heritage sites in developing nations as being at risk, highlighting 12 as being on the verge of irreparable loss and destruction.

Three sites in the Middle East, Iraq's Nineveh, Palestine's Hisham's Palace, and Turkey's Ani, are among those most in danger.

"Ani is probably one of the top 10 sites in the world, right up there with Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat. It's incredible," CNN quoted Jeff Morgan of GHF as saying.

Morgan argued that restoring these heritage sites will attract tourism that can pay for their ongoing preservation and bring sustainable income to local communities.

The twleve sites on the verge of vanishing according to GHF are:

Mahansrhangarh, Bangladesh
Mirador, Guatemala
Palace of Sans Souci, Haiti
Maluti Temples, India
Lamu, Kenya
Famagusta, Cyprus
Taxila, Pakistan
Intramuros and Fort Santiago, The Phillipinnes
Chersonesos, Ukraine