China: 2 detained for causing irreversible damage to Great Wall of China

A 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman have been detained by the police department at Youyu County in the northern province of Shanxi. It is being reported that they widened a pre existing cavity in the Great Wall of China to create a shortcut to their place of work. 

The damage caused by them is apparently irreversible in nature. The damaged section belongs to the 32nd Great Wall established in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This portion forms a major portion of the tourist attraction the relic attracts. Reports of the incident came to the notice of authorities on Aug 24th. Investigations pertaining to the case are still underway. 

This is not an isolated incident. The Great Wall of China is amongst the most endangered sites in the world. Its vast expanse in terms of length has made the restoration process cumbersome. 30% of the Ming Wall is said to have disappeared. There are various factors contributing to this including natural erosion, construction projects and officials involved in stealing wall bricks for profits. Most of the construction is located away from major urban centres and on mountainous terrains and deserts.This adds to the complexity of preservation. There are fears that parts of the site would turn into a ruin in the near future.