Policy to adopt World Heritage Sites
UNESCO, with the help of 21 member World Heritage Committee and advisory bodies such as International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), within the framework of its Operational Guidelines, decides about the cultural and natural sites to be included on the World Heritage list. Such cultural and natural sites must display the necessary Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), fulfill one or more out of 10 prescribed criteria (as given below), maintain the condition of authenticity and integrity and should be in a good state of conservation.
At times, concerns are raised by the World Heritage Centre during inscription process those relate to the state of conservation or its management (including that of its buffer). State party addresses such concerns by giving necessary commitment to effectively manage the site and its buffer, thus safeguarding its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
Criteria for the assessment of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as per UNESCO’s Operational Guidelines:-
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. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria.
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 32 sites from India declared as World Heritage properties as follows.
CULTURAL SITES
(Under Protection of Archaeological Survey of India)
S.No
Name of Site
State
1.
Ajanta Caves (1983)
Maharashtra
2.
Ellora Caves (1983)
Maharashtra
3.
Agra Fort (1983)
Uttar Pradesh
4.
Taj Mahal (1983)
Uttar Pradesh
5.
Sun Temple, Konarak (1984)
Odisha
6.
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
Tamil Nadu
7.
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
Goa
8.
Group of Temples, Khajuraho (1986)
Madhya Pradesh
9.
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
Karnataka
10.
Group of Monuments, FatehpurSikri (1986)
Uttar Pradesh
11.
Group of Temples, Pattadakal (1987)
Karnataka
12.
Elephanta Caves ( 1987)
Maharashtra
13.
Great Living Chola temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram (1987 & 2004)
Tamil Nadu
14.
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
Madhya Pradesh
15.
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
Delhi
16.
Qutb Minar Complex, Delhi (1993)
Delhi
17.
Prehistoric Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
Madhya Pradesh
18.
Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park (2004)
Gujarat
19.
Red Fort Complex, Delhi (2007)
Delhi
20.
Hill Forts of Rajasthan
(Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer and Ranthambhore, Amber and Gagron Forts) (2013)
(Amber and Gagron Forts are under protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums)
Rajasthan
21.
Rani ki Vav (2014)
Gujarat
Under Protection of Ministry of Railways
22.
Mountain Railway of India ( Darjeeling,1999), Nilgiri (2005), Kalka-Shimla(2008)
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh
23.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
Maharashtra
Under Protection of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee
24.
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya (2002)
Bihar
Under Protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums Department
25.
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
Rajasthan
NATURAL SITES
Under Protection of Ministry of Environment & Forest
26.
Kaziranga National Park (1985)
Assam
27.
Manas Wild Life Sanctuary (1985)
Assam
28.
Keoladeo National Park (1985)
Rajasthan
29.
Sunderban National Park (1987)
West Bengal
30.
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)
Uttarakhand
31.
Western Ghats (2012)
Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu
32.
Great Himalayan National Park (2014)
Himachal Pradesh
This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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