Why in the News?

Six sites have been added to India's Tentative List by UNESCO's World Heritage Centre in 2025.

More on the News

• A tentative list is an "inventory" of properties a country believes deserves to be a World Heritage Site.
• Process: After inclusion in Tentative List, the country has to prepare a nomination document that will be considered by UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
  • In India, Indian National Commission for Co-operation with UNESCO (INCCU), and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) play a key role in this regard.
• In India, 62 sites are listed on UNESCO's Tentative List.
• The 6 sites are
  • Mudumal Menhirs of Telangana
  • Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh
  • Ashokan Edict Sites in multiple states
  • Chausath Yogini Temples in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha
  • Gupta Temples in multiple states
  • Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS)?

• A World Heritage Site is a location recognised by UNESCO for its "outstanding universal value". 
• It is guided by Convention Concerning Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage(called World Heritage Convention).
• Three categories: Cultural heritage, Natural heritage, and Mixed heritage (cultural as well as natural).

Criteria for selection

• A site must meet at least one of these criteria: represent human creative genius, showcase cultural or historical significance, exemplify architectural, ecological, or geological importance, or contain exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity. It should contribute to human heritage, on-going natural processes, or conservation efforts.
  • Other considerations: The protection, management, authenticity and integrity of properties. 

World Heritage Convention (Adopted in 1972 by General Conference of UNESCO) 

• It came in to effect in 1975 and defines kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on World Heritage List.
• World Heritage Committee (WHC) was constituted based on Convention within UNESCO.
• List of World Heritage in Danger and World Heritage Fund were established in 1975 under the Convention.
• India ratified the World Heritage Convention in 1977.

UNESCO World Heritage Committee (Intergovernmental Committee for Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value)

• Composition: Members selected from amongst 196 States Parties. (India is currently a member)
• Term of office: 6 years (Most States Parties voluntarily choose to be Members for only 4 years)
• Functions:
  • It meets at least once a year, to deliberate addition, removal, or modification of items on WHSs list. 
  • Performs regular audits of designated Sites, Can List a threatened site as World Heritage in Danger.
  • To remove a propertyfrom list whose Outstanding Universal Value is lost or destroyed.
• India for 1st time hosted 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting in July 2024 in New Delhi. It was organized by ASI on behalf of Ministry of Culture. 
  • 'Moidams' The Mound-Burial System of Ahom Dynasty Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India's 43rd Entry.
• World Heritage Fund (Fund for Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value): It was established in 1977 under WHC.
  • Resources: Contributions from States Parties, voluntary contributions by governments, foundations, private sector, or the public.