United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

• It was founded in 1945 to develop the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” as a means of building lasting peace.
• It is located in Paris, France

World Heritage Sites in India

• 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 1972.
• India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.

Who lists World Heritage Sites?

• A world Heritage site is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which is based in Paris, France.
• The International World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee establishes the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The World Heritage Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention (The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage or the World Heritage Convention), defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
• It is composed of 21 state parties which are elected by the General Assembly of States Parties for a four-year term.
• Currently, India is a member of the World Heritage Committee.

UNESCO Heritage sites in India :

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the nodal agency for forwarding any request for World Heritage status to any Indian site whether cultural or natural.
• Based on the proposals received from the Central or State Government agencies as well as management Trusts, etc., and after their due scrutiny, the Government forwards the nomination dossiers to the World Heritage Center.
• India now has 38 sites, including 30 cultural properties, seven natural sites and one mixed site, notified as World Heritage Sites.
• The list of places in India which have been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO is given below:

Cultural Sites

• Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra), Ellora Caves (Maharashtra), Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh), Agra Fort (Uttar Pradesh)
• Sun Temple, Konark (Odisha), Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (Pancha Ratha, Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance or Descent of the Ganges, Caves Temples, etc) (Tamil Nadu)
• Churches and Convents of Goa, Khajuraho group of Monuments (Madhya Pradesh) (Group of Hindu and Jain temples which include Kandariya Mahadeva temple, Vishvanatha temple, Lakshmana temple, Chausath Yogini temple, etc of Hindu origin and Parshvanatha, Adinath and Shantinatha temples, etc of Jain origin), Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka (Krishna temple complex, Narasimha, Ganesa, Hemakuta group of temples, Achyutaraya temple complex, Vitthala temple complex, Pattabhirama temple complex, Lotus Mahal complex, etc)
• Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra), Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (Karnataka) (Nine Hindu temples and one jain temple which includes Virupaksha temple, Papanatha temple, etc.), Great Chola Temples [Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), Airavateshvara Temple, Darasuram (Tamil Nadu)]
• Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh (Great Stupa, Ashokan Pillar, Shunga Pillar, Siri Satakarni inscriptions of Satavahana period, various other Stupas, etc.)
• Humayun’s Tomb (Delhi), Qutub Minar and it Monuments (Delhi)
• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (West Bengal) (Under Mountain Railways of India)
• Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya (Bihar) • Rock shelters of Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or Victoria Terminus, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (Gujarat)
• Nilgiri Mountain Railways (under Mountain Railways of India)
• Red Fort Complex (Delhi)
• Kalka-Shimla Railway (Himachal Pradesh) (under Mountain Railways of India)
• Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (Rajasthan)
• Six hill forts of Rajasthan
• Chittorgarh • Ranthambhore
• Jaisalmer
• Kumbhalgarh
• Amber
• Gagron
• Rani ki Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell), (Gujarat)
• The Achitectural work of Le Corbusier (Capital Complex, Chandigarh), Archeological site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University), (Bihar)
• Historic city of Ahmedabad
• Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
• Jaipur City, Jaipur.

Natural Sites in India 

1. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)

• Located in western part of Himalayan mountains in the state of Himachal Pradesh, this Park is well known for its high alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests.
• It also encloses glacial and snow meltwater sources of several rivers as well as the catchment area.
• It is a biodiversity hotspot with 25 types of forests inhabited by myriads of faunal species, several of which are threatened.

2. Kaziranga National Park (1985)

3. Keoladeo National Park (1985)

• This wetland is located in the state of Rajasthan and served as a duck shooting reserve till the end of 19th century. However, soon enough the hunting ceased and the area was declared a national park in 1982.
• This National Park is home to 375 bird species and various other life forms. It also serves as a wintering ground to Palaearctic migratory waterfowl, critically endangered Siberian Crane as well as to globally threatened- Greater Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle.
• It is acclaimed for its resident population of non-migratory breeding birds.

4. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)

• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot located in Assam. It is a part of Manas Tiger Reserve and sprawls alongside Manas river.
• A range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests are responsible for the breathtaking beauty and serene environment of the site.
• It also provides a habitable environment to a range of endangered species such as- tiger, greater one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog and Bengal florican.

5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)

• Both of these National Parks are exceptionally beautiful high-altitude West Himalayan landscapes and fall within the boundaries of the state of Uttarakhand.
• Nanda Devi National Park boasts rugged and high-mountain wilderness and is dominated by India’s second-highest mountain-the peak of Nanda Devi. The Valley of Flowers, in contrast, flaunts aesthetically pleasing meadows of alpine flowers.
• Numerous kinds of floral and faunal species reside in these parks, along with a significant population of globally threatened species including- Snow leopard, Himalayan Musk Deer etc.

6. Sundarban National Park (1987)

7. Western Ghats (2012)

• Western Ghats consist of a chain of mountains running parallel to India’s Western Coast and passing from the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• They cover an immense area in a 1600 km long stretch and are interrupted only once by a 30km Palghat gap at around 11 degrees North.
• They also influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns that mediate the warm tropical climate of the region and act as a barrier to rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west.
• Western Ghats are also home to tropical evergreen forests, as well as to 325 globally threatened species.

Mixed Site in India (1)

Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)

• Located in Sikkim, this National Park is dominated by the world's third-highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.
• The Park comprises steep-sided valleys, snow-
• clad mountains and various lakes and glaciers including the 26km long Zemu glacier, located around the base of Mount Khangchendzonga.
• It covers almost 25% of the state of Sikkim and ensures a habitable environment to various endemic as well as threatened, plant and animal species.