Komodo National Park
Photograph by Mauricio Handler, National Geographic
A diver swims among tropical fish in a Horseshoe Bay coral reef in Indonesia's Komodo National Park, another of the seven natural wonders on the new list.
The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon but was later dedicated to protecting other species as well, including marine animals.
(Related: See Indonesia pictures.)
Even though former UNESCO director-general Federico Mayor Zaragoza is on the New7Wonders panel of experts that helped choose the 28 finalist sites, UNESCO has stressed that it is not in any way involved with any New7Wonders projects.
In 2007 the UN body released a statement denying any involvement with the New 7 Wonders of the World campaign and questioning its value.
"The list ... will be the result of a private undertaking, reflecting only the opinions of those with access to the Internet and not the entire world. This initiative cannot, in any significant and sustainable manner, contribute to the preservation of sites elected by this public."
That sentiment also applies to the New 7 Wonders of Nature, UNESCO spokesperson Gina Doubleday told National Geographic News.
Published November 14, 2011
