Context: India is home to 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, out of the 1121 such spots identified around the world. So far, only China, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France have more locations on the list than India.
Key Points

• Every year 18th April is celebrated as the International Day for Monuments and Sites or the World Heritage Day.

Theme for 2021: “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”.

• The history of a place can involve many points of view. The conservation of cultural heritage requires careful examination of the past, and its practice demands provision for the future. 
• Addressing difficult and often contested histories involves complex conversations with different stakeholders, avoiding biased views and interpretations of the past.
• Acknowledging global calls for greater inclusion and recognition of diversity, this day invites all of us to reflect on, interpret and review existing narratives.
• It is an important expression of global unity in the face of the ongoing worldwide health crisis (Covid-19 pandemic).

About International Council on Monuments and Sites

• It is a global non-governmental organization associated with UNESCO.
• Its mission is to promote the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of monuments, building complexes and sites.
• It is an Advisory Body of the World Heritage Committee for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO.
• As such, it reviews the nominations of cultural world heritage and ensures the conservation status of properties.

Currently, there are 38 World Heritage Sites located in India.

• Of these, 30 are ‘cultural’, such as the Ajanta Caves, Fatehpur Sikri, Hampi monuments and the Mountain Railways of India;
• 7 are ‘Natural’, including Kaziranga, Manas and Nanda Devi National Parks and; 
• One is classified as ‘Mixed’, the Khangchendzonga National Park.