UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
- A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance. The list of World Heritage Sites is maintained by the international ‘World Heritage Programme’, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
- This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in
ABOUT UNESCO
UNESCO is a specialised agency of UN.
It was founded in 1945 to develop the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind as a means of building lasting peace.
HEADQUARTERS:
It is located in Paris, France.
HOW UNESCO CHOOSES SITES?
UNESCO names Cultural & Natural sites as UNESCO world heritage sites. There are certain sites which can be designated as mixed heritage site. (natural & cultural).
The Ministry of Culture proposes for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This recommendation is done considering the cultural values (in case of cultural sites) & Ecological significance (in case of natural sites).
UNESCO World Heritage Committee has its own Parameters of selecting the places based on cultural or Natural significance attached to them.
THE PARAMETERS
- Human creative genius.
- Interchange of values.
- Testimony to cultural tradition.
- Significance in human history.
- Traditional human settlement.
- Heritage associated with events of universal significance.
- Natural phenomena or beauty.
- Major stages of Earth’s history.
- Significant ecological and biological processes.
- The significant natural habitat for biodiversity.
HOW MANY UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA?
Now, with the recent addition of Shantiniketan & Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas in 2023, India has 42 UNESCO heritage sites. (34 CULTURAL; 7 NATURAL & 1 MIXED).
Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_India
Which country has the highest no. Of sites?
Italy > China > Germany > France > Spain > India.
