UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO World Heritage Sites receives legal protection through an international convention. In this article, you will learn about UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 7 natural World Heritage Sites in India, significance, list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, etc.

This article will provide key insights for GS Paper-I Art and Culture section of UPSC IAS Exam.

Table of Content

• What is a World Heritage Sites?
• Background of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Criteria for UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• List of World Heritage Sites in India
• Map of World Heritage Sites in India
• Significance of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is a World Heritage Sites?

• The World Heritage Sites refers to a special place or area that receives legal protection through an international convention managed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• The list of World Heritage Sites in World is announced by UNESCO based on their cultural, historical, scientific, or other notable importance.

Background of UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• They are recognized for their exceptional value consisting of- cultural and naturalheritage.
  • UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites consists of monuments such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions, groups of buildings, including archaeological sites.
  • UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites consists of physical and biological formations, geological and physiographical formations including habitats of threatened, and natural sites which are important for science, conservation or natural beauty.
• It is maintained by the international World Heritage Program administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
• Italy has the most sites on the list than any other country in the world.
• The UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites was launched by the “Convention Concerning the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage”.
  • It was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 1972. 
  • India ratified the convention on 1977.
• As of January 2023, Total World Heritage Sites in World are 1,157.

Criteria for UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

The reasons for designating a site as a World Heritage Site are as follows:

• An extraordinary creation of human imagination and skill;
• Exchange of values over time or within a particular cultural region, developments in architecture, technology, monumental arts, urban planning, or landscape design;
• A distinctive and exceptional testimony to a living or extinct cultural tradition or civilization;
• A building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape that showcases significant stages in human history;
• A traditional human settlement, land or sea use that represents a culture or cultures and their interaction with the environment, particularly when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;
• Directly or tangibly associated with significant events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs, and artistic or literary works (this criterion should be used with other criteria);
• Exceptional natural phenomena or areas of remarkable beauty and aesthetic value;
• Important geological stages in the earth’s history, including records of life, ongoing geological processes shaping landforms, or significant features of the earth’s surface;
• Ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems;
• Natural habitats that provide the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, including those that contains threatened species of extraordinary universal value from a scientific or conservation perspective.

List of World Heritage Sites in India:

• Total UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India are: 40.
• Cultural World Heritage Sites in India are: 33
• Natural World Heritage Sites in India are: 7
• Mixed World Heritage Sites in Indiais Khangchendzonga or Kanchenjunga National Park.

Map of World Heritage Sites in India

Significance of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Tourism Attraction: Recognition as a World Heritage Site enhances the appeal of the site to travelers, leading to increased popularity.
• Economic Benefits: The increased tourism and popularity of the site can bring economic advantages to the country or region where it is located.
• Funding for Protection and Conservation: Designated sites are eligible to receive financialsupport for their preservation.
  • The global recognition highlights the need for conservation efforts and encourages funding for the site.
• Access to Project Management Resources: If repairs or improvements are required, World Heritage Sites have access to global project management resources for expert assistance.
• Protection during War: Sites designated as World Heritage Sites receive protection under the Geneva Convention, safeguarding them from destruction during times of war.

Conclusion

UNESCO World Heritage Sites play a significant role in preserving and promoting global cultural and natural heritage. They are known for their outstanding universal value, attract tourists, contribute to local economies, and receive international support for their protection and conservation. With their unique significance and recognition, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are invaluable treasures that requires efforts to safeguard them for future generations. The World Heritage Site in India are being protected by many government schemes and interventions.

Ref: Source-1

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)