国家宝藏

Brian S. McGrath 梁小明

For Kari Cobb， hiking in the Grand Canyon is a journey through history. At the bottom， the Colorado River flows as it has for 6 million years. Cobb gazes up at the cliff face. She thinks of the indigenous1， or native， people who lived in and around the canyon long before the arrival of non-native explorers.

The Grand Canyon stretches across 277 miles of Northern Arizona. “It is massive，” says Cobb. She is a park ranger. “You cannot see all of it. Thats what makes this place so intriguing2.”

In 2019， Grand Canyon National Park celebrated its 100th anniversary. Special events took place at the park throughout 2019. Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes was the anniversary outreach3 coordinator. “We hope visitors will connect with the park and learn to be stewards4 of the land，” she said.

But the Grand Canyons popularity makes it hard to protect. In 2017， the park had more than 6 million visitors. Balancing tourism and conservation5 is a challenge.

Money Matters

Tourism brings much-needed money to American Indians in the area. For example， the Hualapai tribe runs helicopter tours in the park. But the tribes main attraction is the Grand Canyon Skywalk. It is a glass-floored walkway that juts6 out over a cliffs edge. It draws more than 1 million tourists each year.

Critics say Skywalk spoils7 the canyons beauty. Helicopter noise shatters8 its silence. In 2017， tribal chairman Damon Clarke defended the attractions. “They provide fund services for our elders， children， and others in need of support，” he said. He added that any development was done “with respect for the canyon in mind.”

Tough Choices

To the east of the national park lies the Navajo Nation. Developers wanted to build a tramway， hotels， and restaurants in the area. The issue divided the Navajo community. Some wanted the economic benefits. Others saw the plan as damaging to their culture. They also worried about how it would affect the environment. In February 2018， the Navajo voted against the plan.

Sarana Riggs is a member of the Navajo Nation. “There is always a need for development，” she says. “The question is： How can the Navajo tap into tourism in a sustainable9 way？”

Millions of tourists visit the Grand Canyon each year. They are bound10 to have an impact. But Cobb believes they will be inspired to protect the parks history and beauty. “People who visit national parks love them，” she says.

对卡丽·科布来说，在大峡谷徒步旅行是一段穿越历史的旅程。在峡谷底部，科罗拉多河六百万年以来一直在流淌。科布凝视着悬崖的表面。她想到的是，在非本土探险家到来很久之前就生活在峡谷内外的土著居民。

大峡谷横跨亚利桑那州北部的277英里。“它非常大。”科布说。她是公园管理员。“你无法一览全貌。这就是这个地方如此吸引人的原因。”

2019年，大峡谷国家公园迎来了它的一百周年。整个2019年，公园举行了特别活动。凡妮莎·采娅·塞万提斯是周年的推广协调员。她说：“我们希望游客们能与公园多联系，学习如何管理这片土地。”

但是大峡谷的受欢迎程度导致它难以保护。2017年，该公园有600多万游客。平衡旅游业和自然保护是一项挑战。

钱很重要

旅游业给该地区的美国印第安人带来了急需的资金。例如，瓦拉派部落在公园里经营直升机旅游。但是这个部落最吸引人的地方是大峡谷天空步道。这是一条从悬崖边延伸出的玻璃步道，它每年吸引了一百多万游客。

批评者说，天空步道破坏了峡谷的美丽。直升机的噪音打破了它的宁静。2017年，部落主席达蒙·克拉克为这些景点辩护。他说：“它们为我们的老人、儿童和其他需要帮助的人提供资金服务。”他补充说：任何开发都是在“尊重峡谷”的前提下进行的。

艰难的抉择

纳瓦霍人居住在国家公园的东面。开发商想在该地区修建一条电车轨道，以及酒店和餐廳。这个问题使纳瓦霍人产生了分岐。有些人想要经济利益，其他人认为这项计划对他们的文化有害。他们还担心这会对环境造成不良影响。2018年2月，纳瓦霍人投票反对该计划。

萨拉纳·里格斯是纳瓦霍人的一员。“发展总是需要的。”她说，“问题是，纳瓦霍人怎样以可持续的方式开发旅游业？”

每年有数百万游客参观大峡谷。他们必然会产生影响。但科布相信，他们会受到鼓舞，来保护公园的历史和美景。“参观国家公园的人都喜欢国家公园。”她说。

（英语原文选自：www.timeforkids.com）

Discussion议一议：

1. What do you think of tourism development？ 你对旅游开发有什么看法？

2. What do you think is the best way to balance tourism and conservation？ 你认为平衡旅游业和自然保护的最好的方法是什么？