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UNESCO recognises UNESCO World Heritage Sites as having distinctive importance in culture, further adding extraordinary value to humanity. The main aim of UNESCO for creating such a list is to conserve, maintain, and identify the natural and cultural heritage of the entire world. The world heritage list is exemplified by the convention related to protecting the cultural and natural heritage of the world and was accepted by UNESCO in 1972. Therefore, the sites having distinctive cultural and natural facets like biological, geological, cultural, or physical formulations are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
What Criteria Are Followed For Selecting The World Heritage Sites In India By Unesco?
Before diving deep into the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in India, let us know about the criteria based on which UNESCO includes the sites of India in the world heritage list. A total of ten criteria are specified by UNESCO, among which one is to be fulfilled by the sites for getting enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Following mentioned are the criteria:
- The sites are required to represent the masterpiece of human creative genius,
- The sites need to exhibit a vital interchange of human values,
- Bear a unique testimony to the cultural tradition or a civilisation no matter if it is living or has disappeared,
- Be an outstanding or extraordinary example in human history in terms of type of building, architectural or technological landscape illustrating significant stage,
- Be an extraordinary example of a traditional human settlement, sea-use, or land-use representing a culture,
- The site should have a direct or tangible association with the events or living traditions, artistic and literary works, ideas or beliefs having universal significance,
- The site contains superlative natural phenomena or exceptional natural beauty,
- To represent the significant stages of the planet’s history,
- To represent the significant ecological and biological processes in the development or evolution of ecosystems(flora and fauna),
- A site contains the most vital and significant natural habitat for biodiversity.
UNESCO World Heritage sites in India
The UNESCO World Heritage Site list combines cultural, natural, and mixed sites. According to the latest survey, there are 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, ranking the country at 6th place in this list. There are now 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed site, as stated by UNESCO.
When it comes to the Unesco world heritage sites in India 38 sites of India were included in this list. Given below are some of the prominent UNESCO World heritage sites in India:
- Taj Mahal in Agra
- Hampi in Karnataka
- The Ellora Caves in Aurangabad
- Sun Temple at Konark
- Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu
- Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh
- Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra
- Bodh Gaya in Bihar
- Red Fort in Delhi
- Chola temples in Tamil Nadu
In the year 2021, two more sites were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
- On 25th July 2021, Rudreswara Temple at Palampet, Warangal, Telangana, was included as the 39th site by UNESCO in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- On 27th July 2021, Dholavira, Harappan City in the Rann of Kutch, was included as the 40th site by UNESCO in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Conclusion
World Heritage site is the designation for the places on the planet that adds extraordinary universal value to humanity. And therefore, they are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites so that these can be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy the incredible places on the earth. Having the name of the sites in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India will provide several benefits to the country like increased tourist visitation, better management and protection of the sites, increase in employment opportunities and income of the country, etc.
