UNESCO World Heritage Sites by Dr. Gaurav Garg
UNESCO’s list of Tangible and Intangible Elements :-
1. TANGIBLE SITES
Selection Criteria :-
● To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.
● To exhibit 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.
● To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living
or which has disappeared.
● To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape
which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
● To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is
representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has
become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change.
● To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic
and literary works of outstanding universal significance
● To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic
importance.
● To be outstanding examples 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.
● To be outstanding examples 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.
● To contain 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.
● There are 38 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 30 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1
mixed-criteria site [Kanchenjunga National Park].
The benefits of “World Heritage” status are :-
● Identity : The recognised site gets a new identity world over. The status itself confirms about the
outstanding and exceptional features of the listed site.
● Funding : The site gets funds from a global body for its protection and conservation.
● Tourism : once listed, it brings international attention to the site. Hence, ensures economic benefits to the
nation.
● Protection during wartime : the site becomes protected under Geneva convention against destruction or
misuse during war.
● Access to global project management resources, as they will be more willing to participate with such
projects
● Once a country signs the World Heritage Convention, and has sites inscribed on the World Heritage List,
the resulting prestige often helps raise awareness among citizens and governments for heritage
preservation.
● Greater awareness leads to a general rise in the level of the protection and conservation 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 tag is not for lifetime, it can be revised. UNESCO can remove the World Heritage Site
tag.
● UNESCO does proper monitoring of a site, and If continuous maintenance or protection is not provided to
that site, then UNESCO first gives warning and then puts that site in the list 'UNESCO World Heritage
Sites in Danger'. And if still no action has been taken by the Government to protect or maintain the site
then UNESCO can remove the tag.
Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) :-
● The Ajanta Caves are Buddhists caves.
● These caves were built in two phases. First was from the
reign of Ashoka and second during the Gupta period.
● The caves depict richly decorated fresco paintings,
reminiscent of the Sigiriya paintings and sculptures in
Sri Lanka.
● There are 31 rock-cut cave monuments which are unique
representations of the religious art of Buddhism.
Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) :-
● The Ellora Caves are a cultural mix of religious arts of
Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
● Total 34 monasteries and temples sculpted
contiguously into rock walls in these caves.
Agra Fort (Uttar Pradesh) :-
● Represents Mughal Culture and Power.
● Located on the bank of the Yamuna River, near Taj
Mahal.
● Built in Red sandstone.
● It is surrounded by a moat which encloses several
palaces, towers, and mosques, these were built from
16th to 18th century (Akbar’s rule to Aurangzeb’s rule).
● The impressive structures built within the fort are the
Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal, Muhamman Burje (an
octagonal tower), Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Pearl
Mosque and Nagina Masjid.
Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh) :-
● Situated on the bank of Yamuna River.
● One of the Seven Wonders of the World.
● It is a mausoleum (a funerary mosque).
● It was built by Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his
third wife Begum Mumtaz Mahal who had died in 1631.
● It was made in white marble in typical Mughal
architecture.
Konark Sun Temple (Puri, Odisha) :-
● It is a 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as the
"Black Pagoda").
● It is located on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal in
the Mahanadi Delta.
● It is built in the form of the chariot of Surya.
● It was constructed by King Narasimhadeva I of the
Ganga Dynasty.
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu) :-
● These were built by the Pallava kings in the 7th and 8th
centuries.
● These monuments have been carved out of rock along
the Coromandel coast.
● There are many Ratha Temples in the form of chariots,
Mandapas.
● There are many rock Inscriptions found like Arjuna's
Penance or Bhagiratha's Penance.
Kaziranga National Park (Assam) :-
● It is located in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra
River.
● Famous for Rhino and Tiger, It is also a Tiger Reserve.
● It is home to the largest population of the great Indian
one-horned rhinoceros (state animal of Assam).
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam) :-
● It is also a Tiger Reserve.
● Famous for pygmy hog, rhinoceros, golden langur,
clouded leopard, Bengal florican.
● In 1992 the sanctuary was listed under "The World
Heritage in Danger" but removed in 2011 after
significant conservation efforts.
Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) :-
● Mainly famous for birds.
● It is also a Ramsar Wetland Site.
● Previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
● It is famous for different species of wintering birds
that flock in large numbers, arriving from Siberia,
China, Russia, etc.
Churches and Convents (Goa) :-
● Representation of Portuguese Architecture.
● Several Churches of Catholic Tradition.
● Most significant of these monuments are 'Basilica of
Bom Jesus' and 'St. Francis Xavier'.
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