Important UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India

Important UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India: There are 38 World Heritage Sites in India.These site are recognized as sites with cultural and natural importance by UNESCO World Heritage Convention.Let’s learn.

There are two types of cultural heritage

• Tangible Cultural Heritage: Natural or artificial site or archaeological structure,buildings,monuments etc
• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Skill,tradition,knowledge,communities etc

Tangible Cultural Heritage are further classified into three types

• Cultural World Heritage Sites
• Natural World Heritage Sites
• Cultural and Natural (Mixed) World Heritage Site

A World Heritage site is defined as a natural or artificial site or archaeological structure that is of international importance which requires special protection. It is classified under tangible cultural heritage.

These sites are officially recognized by the UN and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is headquartered in Paris,France. 
• UNESCO was established on 4 November 1945.
• Current Director General is Audrey Azoulay. (As of July 2020)
• UNESCO is a member under the United Nations Development Group.
• The list of world heritage sites is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme under UNESCO.
• A treaty called World Heritage Convention was signed to announce world heritage site lists.
• The list is administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The committee is composed of 21 UNESCO member states, elected by the General Assembly.

18th April of every year is celebrated as World Heritage Day to create and spread awareness about Heritage among communities around the world.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) declared, 18 April as the “World Heritage Day” in 1982. This declaration was approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983 to spread awareness about cultural heritages around the world and also to protect and conserve the existing cultural heritages.

• World Heritage Sites of a nation not only brings huge international prestige but also it asks a commitment and responsibility from that Nation to save and protect concerned site.
• World Heritage Sites give economy a boost in form of tourist income and promotes jobs.
• Creates public awareness about cultural and natural importance.

The list of 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Cultural World Heritage Sites in India

1. Taj Mahal, Agra
2. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
3. Hampi, Karnataka
4. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
5. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
6. Bodh Gaya, Bihar
7. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha
8. Red Fort Complex, Delhi
9. Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu
10. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
11. Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi
12. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan
13. Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
14. Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh
15. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
16. Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat
17. Hill Forts of Rajasthan
18. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra
19. Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University), Bihar
20. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka
21. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)
22. Qutub Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi
23. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat
24. The Historic City of Ahmedabad
25. Churches and Convents of Goa
26. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh
27. The Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai
28. Capitol Complex, Chandigarh
29. The Pink City,Jaipur,Rajasthan

Natural World Heritage Sites in India

1. Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam
2. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
3. Western Ghats
4. Manas Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam
5. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
6. Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
7. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks of Uttarakhand
8. Kanchenjunga National Park, Sikkim

Cultural and Natural (Mixed) World Heritage Site in India

1. Khangchendzonga National Park

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A nominated site is selected as world heritage site only if it is of ‘outstanding universal value‘ and meets at least one of the ten selection criteria outlined by UNESCO.

Once a site is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, it must be protected from external threats and regular maintenance is needed. Sometimes it is seen that some listed World Heritage Sites gets affected by several factors like natural disasters,pollution, poaching, armed conflict or uncontrolled tourism activities. The sites are then listed in danger list, if such unfortunate activities are observed. The sites are completely removed from the list if the situation becomes worse or no further action is taken by the concerned state.

Recently these three sites lost its world heritage status from UNESCO

• Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, Oman
• Dresden Elbe Valley, Germany
• Bagrati Cathedral, Georgia

All the data mentioned in this article are as per data from UNESCO,July 2020, the above mentioned data are subjected to change.