UNESCO World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Sites have legal protection and are designated under the World Heritage Convention, 1972 officially named the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972. It is administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The goal is to preserve our heritage from the past and pass it on to future generations safely.

Under this there are three types of sites which are recognised i) Cultural heritage Sites ii) Natural Heritage Sites iii) Mixed Heritage Sites. India ratified the Convention in 1977 and since then has 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of 2023. Of these, thirty-four are cultural (like ancient temples, historical sites), seven are natural (like wildlife sanctuaries, mountain ranges), and one is of mixed heritage (the Khangchendzonga National Park). Indian government come up with various schemes (PRASHAD, Adopt a Heritage, HRIDAY) to protect the sites.

Heritage is that which is inherited. It is both natural and human made or evolved during the course of history. The shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors and artifacts including Arts, music, Literature, Architecture, Sculpture, etc. that characterize a group of people is called Culture. The Culture we inherit from our antecedents or ancestors, meant to be valued, protected and maintained are our Cultural Heritage. The Constitution of India itself instructed the state to protect every monument or place or object of artistic or historic interest to be of national importance under article 49. It also directs preservation of wildlife and our natural heritage in article 48A. UNESCO has also come up with the mission to protect heritage sites and India has notified 42 World Hertiage sites under it.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is dedicated to promoting the Identification, Protection and Preservation of cultural and natural heritage worldwide, recognized for Outstanding Universal Value.

Criteria for Determining Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)

The sites must meet at least one of ten criteria-

• signifies a masterpiece of human creative brilliance.
• Exhibits an important cultural interchange or a civilization
• Witness a unique cultural tradition or civilization
• Being an outstanding example of a type of building, architecture, technology or landscape.
• An outstanding example of traditional human settlement, land use or sea use.
• Being directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, ideas of universal significance.

For Natural Sites, four criteria examine their natural significance vis-a-vis:

• Contains unparalleled natural phenomena, formations or features of significant aesthetic important.
• An exceptional illustration of the major stages of Earth's evolutionary history.
• An exceptional illustration of significant ecological and biological processes undergoing evolution and development.
• Encompasses critical habitats for conserving biological diversity in its natural environment.

UNESCO's mission with respect to World Heritage consists of-

• Supporting National Conservation Measures: Fostering the dedication of nations and local communities to the preservation of World Heritage.
• Providing emergency assistance: for sites in danger
• Offering technical assistance: and professional training
• Awareness: Assisting in the public awareness initiatives of state Parties.

There are three types of World Heritage Sites:

1. Cultural Heritage Sites- in broad terms, it represents both a product and an ongoing process that endows societies with a rich array of resources that are inherited from the past, created in the present and bestowed for the collective benefit of future generations.
2. Natural Heritage Sites- These sites host unique natural habitat and protect natural diversity.
3. Mixed Heritage Sites- have elements of both natural and cultural significance.

• Drives tourism to the site, securing economic gains.
  • Example-Taj Mahal was most searched for UNESCO World Heritage Site globally in 2022
• Funding: UNESCO provides funds for restoration, preservation and training, if required
• Prestige: Promotes close ties with the United Nations and boosts prestige and support
• Improved Management: Enables access to global project management resources.
• Collaboration: Facilitates creating partnerships between government, the private sector, and NGOs to achieve conservation goals
• War Time protection: Site becomes protected under the Geneva Convention against destruction or misuse during wartime.

1. First Indian World Heritage site- Agra Fort in Uttar Pradesh, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra
2. State with highest sites- Maharashtra with total six heritage sites
3. In 2023, 2 sites were added -
   1. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas- It is the serial of three temples belonging to the Hoysalan era from the 12th to 13th centuries, located in the Southern state of Karnataka, namely-
      • The Channakeshava temple at Belur, Hassan district
      • The Hoysalesvara temple at Halebidu, Hassan district
      • The Keshava temple at Somnathapura, Mysuru district
      Hoysala temples are called Hybrid or Vesara Style as it combines features of both Nagara Style (North Indian Temple Style) and Dravidian Style (South Indian Style of Temple).
   2. Santiniketan- It was a residential school and Centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions and a vision of the unity of humanity “Visva Bharati” transcending religious and cultural boundaries, established in rural West Bengal in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore

India has several acts & schemes related to the preservation and conservation of heritage-

• The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904: protects and preserves ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
• The Treasure Trove Act 1878: Regulates the export trade in antiquities and art treasures, aiming to prevent their smuggling out of the country.
• The Wildlife Protection act, 1972: Designates protected areas for natural heritage site conservation.
• The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972: to regulate export trade and prevent smuggling in antiquities and art treasures.
• PRASHAD scheme: for developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India
• Adopt A Heritage Scheme: to foster collaboration with corporate partners for their contribution in the preservation of Heritage monuments
• HRIDAY scheme: for preservation and revitalization of the characteristics of heritage cities in India.

The World Heritage Sites convention has helped bring attention to the conservation of natural, mixed and cultural heritage for which there was no other concerted effort for protection before. India has also lobbied for the recognition of its vast heritage sites of both natural and cultural. There are now sites in the Tentative List as well which India expects to be recognised.

This recognition will significantly boost domestic and national tourism. It will improve conservation efforts and draw funding to these treasures. Cultural sites especially need constant preservation efforts and the natural heritage sites are threatened due to developmental efforts. Heritage Site protection is a key tool for nation building. It also helps India achieve its Sustainable Development Goal 11 for 'developing sustainable cities and communities'.

While the government is committed to safeguard the multifaceted history of every state, region, and society, it becomes imperative for all citizens to unite and actively participate in preserving India's rich cultural heritage, as rightfully emphasised in the fundamental duties outlined by the Indian Constitution.