Living on Mount Everest are the Sherpa people, who mostly belong to the ancient Nyingma, or Red Hat, a religion of Tibetan Buddhism, the oldest Buddhist religion in Tibet, which combines Buddhism and animism. The Sherpas embrace the Himalayan mountains as sacred and offer their respects by constructing Buddhist monasteries at the base, placing prayer flags on the slopes, and creating wildlife sanc

In today’s program, we journey to the Great Himalayas of Southern Asia to explore one of Mother Earth’s magnificent creations, Mount Everest. Located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, Mount Everest has an elevation of 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) and is Earth’s highest mountain above sea level. Although this goddess was addressed by various names in different languages, there was one common thread –

Colombia is officially the most ecologically rich nation on Earth, ranking number one for the most biodiversity per square kilometer. Today, we visit Chiribiquete National Park, which is a region of south-central Colombia and the cornerstone of four separate geographic regions: the Andes mountain range, the Orinoco savannah, the Guyana Shield, and the Amazon rainforest. A highly prized location, t

The iconic Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is situated in the southwestern state of Arizona in the United States. Stretching across 277 miles (446 kilometers) in length, up to 18 miles (29 kilometers) in width, and as far as 6,000 feet (1.8 kilometers) in depth, this immense and astoundingly beautiful landmark is also visible from space. The raising of the Colorado Plateau to its prese

Sumatra is the largest island entirely in Indonesia and the sixth-largest island in the world. A place of extraordinary beauty, its tropical forests are among the richest and most diverse on the planet, boasting some 218 rare species of vascular plants found in the Tesso Nilo landscape, including Amorphophallus titanium, the tallest flower in the world. Located on the spine of the Bukit Barisan Mountains, known as the Andes of Sumatra, the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra is a 2.5-million-hectare site consisting of three national parks: Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. Gunung Leuser National Park covers 7,927 square kilometers in northern Sumatra. The park is classified by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as part of the 200 Global Ecoregions of importance for preservation of the planet’s biodiversity. Gunung Leuser National Park also houses the orangutan sanctuary of Bukit Lawang, the largest animal sanctuary of Sumatran orangutans. The largest national park in Sumatra, Indonesia, is the Kerinci Seblat National Park, covering a total area of 13,750 square kilometers that include the West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, and Jambi provinces. Home to a diversity of fauna and flora, Kerinci Seblat National Park has more than 4,000 plant species and is also host to the enormous Rafflesia arnoldii. At the southern tip of Sumatra lies Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. The World Wildlife Fund has ranked the area as one of the planet’s most biologically exceptional habitats, and it is one of the most important forest area for tiger conservation in the world. We thank the noble governments, organizations, and rangers working diligently to protect the wondrous Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra and its precious inhabitants. How blessed are we to be able to enjoy the vivacious beauty of Mother Nature, uplifting our spirits and reminding us how important it is to respect, preserve, and cherish this natural environment for the wellbeing of the exquisite wildlife as well as humanity.

Today, we journey to Borneo Island, the largest island in Asia, to explore a spectacular site – “Malaysia’s Natural Treasure: Gunung Mulu National Park.” Situated at the northeastern corner of Borneo Island, Gunung Mulu National Park lies on Malaysian lands, adjacent to Brunei. An equatorial rainforest haven, Gunung Mulu National Park is a rare combination of magnificent geographical features and exceptional biodiversity. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, under natural criteria, in the year 2000. The Gunung Mulu National Park region has been uniquely formed over approximately 60 million years. It has many geographical features which enchant its visitors, including its disappearing rivers, sinkholes, springs, and pinnacles. The park’s diverse equatorial rainforest covers 530 square kilometers (205 square miles) and hosts a range of precious wildlife. Within the rich assortment of tropical biodiversity, there are 17 distinct vegetation zones that are home to thousands of rare plants, particularly native palm varieties, as well as many other native species of flora. The centerpiece of Gunung Mulu National Park is the 2,376-meter-high sandstone pinnacle from which it derived its name, Mount Mulu, or Gunung Mulu in Malay. Halfway up the slopes of Mount Api, the Pinnacles are a popular tourist attraction. Gunung Mulu National Park’s unique geographical terrain also includes a vast system of caves. At least 295 kilometers (800 miles) of these caves have been explored, but this is believed to be only a portion of the actual total. The Melinau limestone is particularly strong, allowing the caverns of Gunung Mulu National Park to be exceptionally large. Deer Cave is the world’s largest-known cave passage, while Clearwater Cave is the largest cave explored in Southeast Asia. Good Luck Cave encompasses the largest-known cave chamber in the world, Sarawak Chamber.

The Swiss Alps are recognized as one of the most spectacular mountainous regions in the world. The Jungfrau-Aletsch region is the most glaciated part of the European Alps. Spanning over 82,000 hectares (316.6 square miles), it is located in the southwest of Switzerland. Jungfrau-Aletsch boasts many impressive peaks, nine of which stand at over 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) in altitude. The Jungfrau-Aletsch region became the first Alpine UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural, Organization) World Natural Heritage Site in 2001. The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region has not only played a significant role in European art, literature, mountaineering, and sightseeing, but it also offers immense wealth of geological information regarding glacier and alp formation, as well as the natural ecosystems unique to the area. With global warming resulting in an alarming amount of unnatural glacial retreat, ongoing scientific research in the area is also considered to be of paramount importance. The Aletsch Glacier is the largest and longest glacial area of the European Alps. This frozen river begins its long winding 23-kilometer (14-mile) descent from an altitude of 4,000 meters (2.49 miles). Measured at almost 1-kilometer (3,280-feet) thick at various points, the glacial ice melts to feed crystal clear water into the Rhone River. Although snow, ice, and outcrops of jagged granite rock make up around 80 percent of the Jungfrau-Aletsch landscape, 529 species of durable vascular plants and mosses can be found here, and Norway Spruce and Swiss Pine trees are plentiful in the valleys below. The Jungfrau-Aletsch region is also full of animal life. There are plenty of mountain goats like the Alpine ibex, or the steinbock, as well as the chamois. The lynx is very much at home chilling on the glacial hillsides along with a number of red deer and smaller mammals such as foxes, hares, stoats, and squirrels. Almost 1,000 separate insect species have been recorded in the region. The 99 species of bird that have been identified here include the rock thrush, rock partridge, great spotted woodpecker, golden eagle, as well as boreal and pygmy owls. Indeed, this vibrant environment is full of life.

The world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon is one of Mother Nature’s most precious and impressive gems. The awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest is truly spectacular for its exquisite beauty and its humble service to the local native population. It is the ancestral home to around 400 tribes and provides much needed medicinal plants and food for these indigenous communities. The Amazon is also the planet’s most luxuriant and diverse biological ecosystem of plants, birds, animals, and insects. Thirty percent of the world’s known species call this place their home. Sadly, the loss of the Amazon rainforest already threatens the lives of all the animal and plant species, causing many to become endangered and even extinct. Nearly 70 percent of deforestation in the Amazon is caused by cattle ranching. Seventeen percent of the Amazon was believed to have been destroyed as of 2018. Scientists warn that if deforestation passes a threshold, the Amazon, the “lungs of our planet,” may never recover. Raoni Metuktire, chief of the indigenous Brazilian Kayapó people, gives a heartfelt plea to the urgency of this dire situation. “We call on you to stop what you are doing, to stop the destruction, to stop your attack on the spirits of the Earth. If the land dies, if our Earth dies, then none of us will be able to live, and we too will all die.” There is little time. By switching to a vegan diet and an eco-conscious lifestyle, we can help halt the alarming rate of global warming and prevent further destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

The Amazon rainforest is believed to have been formed during the Eocene Era some 55 million years ago. The rainforest encompasses 40 percent of the South American continent, extending across eight countries. The Amazon includes the drainage basin of the Amazon River, the world’s largest river by volume, with over 1,100 tributaries. The biodiversity of plants in the Amazon is considered the greatest on Earth, with as many as 80,000 plant species. Seventy five percent are endemic and can only be found in the Amazon. Many plant species in the rainforest serve as traditional medicine for the indigenous people. At least 41 different plant species in the Amazon in Brazil treat varying degrees of malaria, one of the tropics’ most fatal diseases. The native people also use the plants and trees as an important source of food and raw material for non-timber forest products. Did you know that the Amazon rainforest is known as the “lungs of the Earth?” Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between the health of the Amazon and the health of our planet. An estimated 16,000 tree species and 390 billion individual trees exist in this amazing jungle. Moreover, 40,000 of the plant species found in the Amazon rainforest are known to play a critical role in regulating the global climate. However, this crucial life-sustaining rainforest is threatened by deforestation and global warming. “All the evidence points to that direction: ‘that if we stop animal raising our planet will cool down.’”

Today, we take you on an adventure to subtropical South America to visit one of the wonders of Argentina and Brazil in our program titled “The Astounding Falls of the Iguazu River.” The Iguazu River and its unmistakable cataract falls are the natural territorial boundary between Argentina and Brazil, making it one of the most spectacular international borders in the world. Visited by over a million tourists every year, the Iguazu Falls are ranked as the most popular natural attraction in both countries. In 1934, Iguazu was declared a national park of Argentina, and five years later, Iguaçu National Park was established on the Brazilian side. Approximately 50 years after this, both reserves were listed as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Unfortunately, human activity is taking a toll on the Iguazu region. The Iguazu region is a place of astounding yet fragile beauty, and we sincerely thank all governments, organizations, and individuals working to safeguard the falls of the Iguazu River and the amazing life that surround them.

With 1.03 million hectares of awe-inspiring views, spectacular sandstone plateaus, sheer cliffs, gorges, and swamps teeming with life, the Greater Blue Mountains Area provides a significant representation of Australia’s biodiversity. Situated 60 to 180 kilometers (37 to 111 miles) inland of Sydney in New South Wales, this natural wonder is a unique place for the study of the evolution of Australia’s eucalypt vegetation. It also contains species of immense global significance, such as the critically endangered ancient Wollemi pine, a “living fossil”, that is one of the world’s oldest and rarest conifer trees. On November 29, 2000, the Greater Blue Mountains Area was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to preserve its geographical and cultural importance. The name “Blue Mountains” stems from the dreamlike blue haze that seems to envelop the area. The Greater Blue Mountains Area are home to over 400 different species of animals. The Greater Blue Mountains Area is managed and protected under national legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The major challenges include inappropriate tourism and recreation activities, loss of biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change.

One of my favorite spots is Koekohe Beach, where we may see its magically impressive Moeraki Boulders. These outstanding boulders are an unusual geological phenomenon that have been millions and millions of years in the making. Now famous, they have entertained countless travelers and have been playfully dubbed the “Bowling Balls of the Giants,” “Alien’s Brains,” “Dinosaur Eggs,” and the “Stonehenge of New Zealand.” The biggest of the boulders at Koekohe Beach, New Zealand, weigh up to seven tonnes. The Moeraki Boulders of New Zealand reach up to two meters in diameter. Each boulder is adorned with unique geometrical patterns like the reptilian scales of a dragon. For hundreds of years, they have ignited the imaginations of many sightseers who have come to this otherwise solitary stretch of New Zealand coastline. There are 50 boulders remaining in Koekohe Beach, which are now protected by New Zealand law. Since 1971, laws in New Zealand were passed to ensure that the unique Moeraki Boulders be protected, just like other national treasures including us Hooker’s sea lions.

Norway is home to more than 1,000 fjords, each a unique, intricate network of winding crescent-shaped inlets that meander through towering sheer cliffs. Molded over thousands of years by the tremendous forces of melting glacial ice, these magnificent fjords must be one of Mother Earth’s most glorious works of art. On July 14, 2005, two fjords in Western Norway became inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord. As the listing states: “The two fjords, among the world’s longest and deepest, are considered as archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere.’’ The Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are situated in the Vestlandet region of southwestern Norway, which is notable for its prolific beauty and is a spectacular example of the phenomenal creative power of nature.

Tianshan, also known as the Heavenly Mountains, is touted as one of the world’s largest mountain ranges. The Tianshan Mountains span through four countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. From east to west, the mountain range is 1,553 miles long. Xinjiang Tianshan, spanning more than 600,000 hectares in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of northwest China, is a giant of exceptional beauty within the Tianshan mountain system. The Heavenly Mountains in Xinjiang is home to spectacular snowy mountains with glacier-capped peaks, peaceful forests and meadows, clear waters, red bed canyons, as well as desolate desert. The ongoing biological and ecological evolutionary processes further add a unique and mysterious feature to the site.

When you visit Little Liuqiu, the chance of seeing the green sea turtles is higher than not seeing them. Usually, the visitors see them. The biggest difference from many places around the world is , in some places, you have to dive in order to see them; some are only visible during specific seasons. However, here in Little Liuqiu, you can see them all year-round. We should realize that it was not easy for such a precious thing to become so common and easy to access. But thanks to the government’s efforts, the non-governmental organizations’ support, the local residents’ recognition, and tourists’ assistance, we have these precious landscape that we can appreciate. It all depends on everybody’s efforts.

My home, Little Liuqiu, is a gorgeous coral island. Situated off the southwestern coast of Taiwan, or Formosa, it is part of Pingtung County. The Taiwanese (Formosan) Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan has launched a number of efforts to safeguard Little Liuqiu. Beginning in 2019, a two-year plan called Plastic Reduction & Zero-Plastic was implemented. Recently, little Liuqiu promoted beach cleaning through a creative beach currency created out of weathered glass scraps. CEO Chen Ren-ping of HiiN Studio and artist Lin Pei-yu tell how this wonderful idea works.

Little Liuqiu is our only offshore coral reef island in Taiwan (Formosa). It is home to the growth of algae, and the water temperature is warm. Therefore, the green sea turtles naturally find this place attractive to stay for lengthy periods. As one slowly grows into maturity, it will become herbivorous, shifting its diet to marine plants like algae and seagrass. If we all have an environmentally friendly attitude, the environment for the sea turtles will be preserved, and it will also have the opportunity to grow and breed the next generation.

Little Liuqiu is one of the few isolated isles that is completely made up of coral reefs. So, when you arrive by boat from Taiwan (Formosa), you’ll find that the colors of the sea change, with about three or four colors. Upon arrival, the water is so clear you can see the bottom of the ocean. That is because this is a coral reef island. It nurtures abundant marine life. In recent years, the rich biological scenery in the intertidal zone has attracted lots of tourists. They come to visit the intertidal zone. This whole area has become more environmentally friendly, with more and more green sea turtles inhabiting Little Liuqiu.

A unique gem and celebrated place of Icelandic pride, the Pingvellir National Park. Blessed with historical and cultural significance, geological uniqueness, natural beauty, and abundant flora and fauna. Many Icelanders consider Pingvellir a sacred place. Every summer, people from all around Iceland would travel to Pingvellir primarily for the assembly. With the Alping being created on the principles of democracy, unity, freedom, and peace, for centuries, Pingvellir has brought people together.

The majestic Alps are one of the largest and highest mountain ranges in the world. An impressive natural wonder, they are home to sensitive ecosystems, amazing plant and animal life, and awe-inspiring landscapes. The region is also a settlement area to more than 14,200,000 residents, and is a popular tourist destination. It stretches approximately 190,700 square kilometers across eight European countries, including France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. The mountains were formed 70 million years ago when the African and Eurasian tectonic plates merged.