World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Sites are the historically and culturally important places that are listed by UNESCO as sites of cultural or physical importance. ‘World Heritage Committee’ of UNESCO manages the list of World Heritage Sites. To identify, protect and conserve the cultural and natural heritage across the globe, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) begins this. In the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention, a global treaty, signed in 1972 by UNESCO, the Heritage list was started. Total 38 world heritage sites are in India which 30 are of Cultural importance, and 7 of Nature and 1 is of mixed importance.

Natural World Heritage Sites in India

Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA)

• The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area is characterized by riverine forests, alpine meadows, and high alpine mountains.
• Lying in the Western Himalayas, it covers 90,540 hectares.
• Includes mountains with glacial tops water supply sources for Millions
• The GHNPCA safeguards the Himalayan Front Ranges and the alpine meadows with monsoon-affected forests. It’s a hotspot of biodiversity that includes endangered fauna species with 25 types of forest.
• This is why the area has a high significance in biodiversity conservation.

Kaziranga National Park.

• The most natural areas left unmodified within the region north east of India, covering 42,996 hectares, in the State of Assam 
• Biggest undisturbed and representative region in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. 
• One of the top nature reserves around the globe.
• Remarkable contribution in helping to save the species of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which was on the near-extinction point 
• Hosts significant populations of other endangered species like bears, wild water buffalo, tigers, elephants as well as other aquatic species like dolphins such as the Ganges River dolphin.
• Important habitat for birds that migrate.

Keoladeo National Park

• Keoladeo National Park, in Rajasthan, is wintering grounds for Palaearctic waterfowl that migrate. An oasis of green habitat in a human-dominated, populated landscape, around 350 bird species in 2,873 hectares.
• Middle of the Central Asian migratory flyway and water, huge groups of waders, pelicans, coots, geese, and ducks are seen in winter. 
• Wintering location of Central Asia’s population of critically threatened Siberian Crane, and a wintering spot for other endangered species.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Satpura Tiger Reserve

• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is a biodiversity hotspot. 
• With 39,100 hectares, it stretches across the Manas river and is bordered towards the North by forest areas of Bhutan. The main zone of the 283,700-hectares Manas Tiger Reserve is located along the shifting rivers that flow into the Manas River. 
• It includes evergreen tropical forests, alluvial grasslands, and an array of forested hills. It provides vital and viable habitats to endangered and rare species, such as Bengal florican, deer, the pygmy hog, swamp, greater one-horned rhinos, and tigers. 
• One of the largest remaining natural areas in the region in which large populations of threatened species can remain.

Valley of Flowers National Parks and Nanda Devi 

• Located in Chamoli, Uttarakhand
• Valley of Flowers National Parks and Nanda Devi consists of gorgeous mountains and outstanding biodiversity in West Himalayan landscapes. 
• It is among the most breathtaking areas of wilderness in the Himalayas. 
• India’s second-highest mountain Nanda Devi, accessible via the Rishi Ganga gorge, lies at the top of Nanda Devi National Park at the height of 7,817 m.
• This valley is one of the deepest across the world, portraying easy access, tranquil landscape, and stunning meadow of alpine blooms, in contrast to inaccessible wilderness and rugged high mountains.
• In addition to some ecotourism initiatives based on the community for small parts of these parks. There has not been any anthropogenic pressure in the area since 1983. 
• Both parks have high biodiversity and density of flora and fauna from the West Himalayan biogeographic zone. 
• They also have large numbers of endangered species that are globally distributed, including the snow leopard, Himalayan Musk deer, and a variety of plant species.
•  With 71,210 ha of land, the two parks are enclosed by a vast buffer area of 514,857 hectares covering a broad range of elevations and habitats. 

Sundarbans National Park

• The Sundarbans are home to the largest mangrove forest on earth and the largest and most bioproductive of all ecosystems.
• Located in the middle of both the Ganges and the Brahmaputra Rivers that run between India and Bangladesh.
• Home to a diverse variety of wildlife, including many species at risk of disappearance. 
• Home to the largest number of tigers that have evolved to an amphibious lifestyle and can swim for long distances and eat on water monitor lizards, fish, and crabs.
• They also hold significant economic significance as a barrier to storms, sediment stabilizer for shores, source, and sediment trap.
• Source of natural resources and house an array of terrestrial, aquatic and benthic species. 
• A perfect illustration of the biological processes of monsoon rainfall flooding delta formation, the influence of tidal forces, and plant colonization. 
• Covering 133,010 hectares in the area, it is estimated to contain approximately 55% forest land and more than 45% wetlands. 
• Around 66% of the mangrove forest is located in Bangladesh, and the remainder of 34% occurs in India.

The Western Ghats

• The Western Ghats are internationally recognized as being a region of global significance in the protection of biodiversity, as well as being a place of great ecological, aesthetic and cultural value. 
• A series of mountains that runs parallel to the western coast of India about 30-50 km from the inland region, the Ghats run through all the states that include Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. 
• It encompasses an area of approximately 140,000 square kilometers over a 1,600 km stretch, which is separated by the 30 km Pal ghat Gap that is situated at about 11 degrees North.
• More ancient than the Himalayan mountain range.
• The Western Ghats of India are geomorphic features of huge significance to the world. 
• One of the most impressive models of the tropical monsoon system exists on the planet. 
• The Ghats are a major barrier to blocking the monsoon rains from the southwest at the end of summer.
• One of the most distinctive features of The Western Ghats is the extremely high levels of endemism and biological diversity. 
• This mountain chain is considered one of the eight biological diversity hotspots, along with Sri Lanka. 
• There are at least 325 globally endangered (IUCN Red Data List) species living throughout the Western Ghats.
• The endangered fauna and flora in the Western Ghats are represented by 229 species, including one fish species, five reptile species, 43 amphibian species, 15 bird species, and 31 mammal species. Out of the 325 globally threatened species within the Western Ghats, 51 are Critically Endangered, 145 are endangered, and 129 are classified as vulnerable.

Khangchendzonga National Park – The only Mix Heritage location in India

• Located in Sikkim, Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) has one of the most extensive altitudinal stretches of any protected area anywhere in the world. 
• The Park is an awe-inspiring vertical sweep that extends over 7 km (1,220 m up to 7,586 m) in just 178,400 ha. 
• It includes the third-highest mountain in the world, Mount. Khangchendzonga. 
• Twenty-six km in length, Zemu Glacier, dot the barren high elevations.
• Located in the Himalayas, a worldwide biodiversity hotspot offers an unparalleled range of alpine and subtropical ecosystems. 
• It has global significance for biodiversity conservation and encompasses 25 percent of the State of Sikkim, recognized as one of the largest biodiversity areas.
• Mount Khangchendzonga has profound cultural significance and sacred significance, forming an intricate landscape. Khangchendzonga is considered sacred as a land of mystery for Buddhists (Beyul) and Lepchas, also known as Mayel Lyang. 
• The indigenous knowledge of the native plants and the ecological system local to them that is exclusive to the local population is in danger of disappearing. 
• It is an important source of information about the therapeutic properties of a variety of native plants. 

World cultural heritage sites in India, UNESCO natural world heritage site in India.

Conclusion:

World Heritage Sites are the historically and culturally important places that are listed by UNESCO as the sites of cultural or physical importance. It is very important to preserve the natural and manmade heritage of the world and India. The government of India, along with UNESCO must protect these sites and the other 100’s sites of India. India presently has 38 world heritage sites in which 30 are of Cultural importance, 7 of Nature, and 1 is of mixed importance. Sites such as the Taj Mahal, Kaziranga national park, and others get protection and get international recognition, which also boosts tourism in India.