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LIMA, Peru. High on a mountain ridge in Peru stand the remains of an Inca citadel called Machu Picchu. It is a symbol of the ancient Inca Empire. Peru's government has promoted the ruins as one of Latin America's top tourist destinations. Since 1998, yearly visits to Machu Picchu have more than doubled. About 800,000 people visit the area annually. Now, conservationists have expressed concern for visitors' safety, as well as for the safety of the treasured ruins of Machu Picchu. They warn that landslides, fires, and creeping development could threaten the site.

In July, conservationists reported their concerns to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The conservationists' report said that unregulated growth is putting Machu Picchu in danger. How? There has been a boom in hotel and restaurant construction in the nearby mountain town of Aguas Calientes. It is putting pressure on erosion-prone riverbanks. This could undermine the site. The report also included worries about visitor safety. It said that Aguas Calientes is not clean. It also said that more attention needs to be paid to the risk of landslides. What's more, the report said that officials have no way to watch for fires in the area.

Conservationists aren't the only ones worried about the effects of tourism and development on Machu Picchu. Archaeologist Luis Lumbreras believes that uncontrolled tourism could damage the ruins.

"Machu Picchu was never made for lots of people," Lumbreras said. He pointed out that the original citadel was designed for sandals and bare feet. It may not stand up to the wear and tear of thousands of shoed tourists. "If we put tourists with boots [in Machu Picchu] … jumping, running, climbing the walls, etcetera, that's the danger."

Yet, tourism and development continue. Many people live in the nearby city of Cuzco, an ancient Inca capital. Earlier this year, they took a stand against urban growth. They blocked roads to protest state plans to extend private development near Machu Picchu.

Not everyone agrees that Machu Picchu is at risk. While admitting that improvement is needed in Aguas Calientes, officials in Peru have stated that the ruins are still in good shape. And just last year, UNESCO praised Machu Picchu's preservation.

Still, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee took note of the conservationists' recently reported concerns. The World Heritage Committee is in charge of identifying and protecting the world's cultural treasures. The committee also keeps an eye on sites that are considered at risk. The committee first noted Machu Picchu's importance in 1983, when it named it a World Heritage Site. Recently, the committee decided to monitor Machu Picchu closely. Regular missions will be sent to Machu Picchu to watch development in the area and report back.

Conservationists are pleased with UNESCO's decision to monitor Machu Picchu. Whether or not the observation is necessary, it will certainly do little harm to the ancient ruins. It may even lead to safer visits for tourists.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.