The once-great Great Wall
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Fears have risen that one-third of China's Great Wall has disappeared. It was originally built to defend an empire, but now parts of the wall are crumbling so badly that someone must leap to its defence.
About two kilometres (30 per cent) of the ancient fortification built by the Ming Dynasty has disappeared due to erosion and damage caused by humans, and experts say the situation could worsen because not enough is being done to preserve what remains.
Of about 8,000km of the wall dating from the Ming period, 2,000km is natural earthen formations. Sections added in other eras stretched the wall to an estimated 21,000km. According to a 2014 survey by the Great Wall of China Society, only about 8.2 per cent remains in good condition.
Local government should provide subsidies and education to encourage citizens to protect the most endangered segments of the wall, and increase penalties for causing damage.
Shrishti Sinha
