A UNESCO world heritage site is a place that has been
listed as one due to its special cultural or physical significance, with
outstanding universal value to humanity. The list is maintained by the
international World Heritage Programme administered by UNESCO World Heritage
Committee. This committee is composed of 21 State Parties which are elected by
its General Assembly.
Once a country has some sights inscribed on the World
Heritage list, the resulting prestige often raises higher awareness among
citizens and governments, resulting in a general rise in the amount of
importance given to heritage properties. A country may also receive financial
assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support
activities for the preservation of its sites.
The World
Heritage Programme was founded in 1972 with ‘The Convention Concerning the
Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage’ adopted by UNESCO, and since
ratified by nearly all countries of the world. Today there are 1007 World
Heritage sites all over the world. Of these, 779 are cultural, 197 are natural,
while 31 are mixed.
There is a well laid out criteria for Cultural and
Natural Heritage Sites to be included. Firstly, the nominated site must be of
outstanding Universal Value. Secondly, it must meet at least one of the ten
criteria listed below.
Cultural criteria
1. Represents a masterpiece of human creative genius.
2. Exhibits an important interchange of human values,
over a span of time, or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in
architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning, or landscape design.
3. To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony
to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has
disappeared.
4. Is an outstanding example of a type of building,
architectural, or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a
significant stage in human history.
5. Is an outstanding example of a traditional human
settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture, or human
interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under
the impact of irreversible change.
6. Is directly or tangibly associated with events or
living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary
works of outstanding universal significance.
Natural criteria
7. Contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of
exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
8. Is an outstanding example representing major stages
of Earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going
geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic
or physiographic features.
9. Is an outstanding example representing significant
on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development
of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities of
plants and animals.
10. Contains the most important and significant
natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including
those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the
point of view of science or conservation
India has 32
World Heritage Sites recognised by UNESCO. Of these 25 are cultural and 7 ar
natural. The latest addition is the Great Himalayan National Park in July 2014.
The 7 Natural World Heritage Sites are:
1. Kaziranga
Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Manas
Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Keoladeo
National Park
4. Sunderbans
National Park
5. Nanda
Devi and Valley of Flowers
6. Western
Ghats
7. Great
Himalayan National Park
The 25 Cultural World Heritage Sites are:
1. Mahabodhi
Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya, Bihar
2. Humayun’s
Tomb, Delhi
3. Qutb
Minar and its monuments
4. Red
Fort Complex
5. Churches
and Convents of Goa
6. Champaner,
Pavagarh, Archeological Park, Gujrat
7. Group
of Monuments at Hampi
8. Group
of Monuments at Pattadakal
9. Buddhist
Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
10. Khajuraho,
MP
11. Ajanta
Caves
12. Ellora
Caves
13. Elephanta
Caves
14. Chattrapati
Shivaji Terminus, Maharashtra
15. Sun
Temple, Konark
16. Jantar
Mantar, Jaipur
17. Great
Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu
18. Group
of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, TN
19. Agra
Fort
20. Fatehpur
Sikri
21. Taj
Mahal
22. Mountain
Railways of India- Darjeeling; Nilgiri; Kalka-Shimla
23. Hill
Forts of Rajasthan
24. Rani
ki Vav, Patan, Gujrat
25. Rock
Shelters at Bhimbetka, MP
The Great Himalayan National Park will benefit from
the World Heritage Status as it would boost tourism potential and bring in much
needed impetus and funds to help protect the rare and endangered species of
birds, animals and plants present there. The decision was taken after a meeting
of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Doha. The park in
Kullu district had staked claim under the natural scenic beauty category as it
has 203 species of rare birds, 50 species of mammals and over 400 species of
rare plants. The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area includes the
Sainj and Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Some threatened animal and bird species there include
Western Tragopan, Chir Pheasant, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Musk Deer, Asiatic
Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Blue Sheep Serow.
Some of the large mammals that are characteristic of
the park include Goral, the Himalayan Tahr and Bharal or Blue Sheep. These
mammals are prey for leopards in the forest zone and snow leopards above the tree
line. Himalayan black bears inhabit the forests, while Asiatic brown bears are
on the alpine meadows. Among birds, the western Tragopan, Monal, Lammergeyers,
Himalayan Griffon Vultures and Golden Eagles are prominent.
Though the World Heritage has pepped up authorities and researchers with
the prospect of more tourism and added funds, the heritage tag has created a
discord among villagers who are campaigning for the settlement of their rights
to grazing, collecting firewood, medicinal herb and morel mushrooms. The
expected increase in tourism would also have to be sensitively managed as the
boost to the economy cannot come at the expense of excessive human intervention
and as a result environmental degradation. The involvement of the local
community can be an asset if managed properly because they are the most directly
affected stakeholders.
...Divya Gurnay.
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