The recent delisting of Liverpool, England from UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Sites has sparked discussions about heritage conservation. Prior to this development, six new locations from India were added to the tentative list by UNESCO.
Liverpool: A World Heritage Site
Liverpool earned its spot on the prestigious list due to its impressive architectural beauty and significant historical role as a key global port during the 18th and 19th centuries. The city was officially declared a World Heritage Site in 2004 alongside renowned cultural landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Liverpool’s delisting makes it only the third place to be removed from the esteemed list.
Factors Contributing to Liverpool’s Delisting
The major reason cited for delisting was the construction of new buildings including a football stadium which severely detracts from the aesthetic charm of its Victorian docks. Such overdevelopment is seen as jeopardising the heritage importance of its waterfront and is predicted to cause irreversible harm to the historical port’s heritage.
Other Delisted Sites
Prior to Liverpool, two other sites had been delisted by UNESCO. These include a wildlife sanctuary in Oman that was removed from the list in 2007 due to persistent poaching and habitat loss. Another site, the Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany was delisted in 2009 after a four-lane motorway bridge was built over the river.
About the World Heritage Site Program
A World Heritage Site is a location deemed by UNESCO to have exceptional cultural or physical significance. The program overseen by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee encourages the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage considered to have remarkable value to humanity. This initiative is governed by an international treaty, adopted by UNESCO in 1972, known as the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Types of World Heritage Sites
The sites are typically categorized into three types – cultural, natural, and mixed heritage sites. Cultural heritage sites primarily include historical buildings and towns, important archaeological locations, and monumental sculptures or paintings. Natural heritage sites are strictly natural areas whilst mixed heritage sites maintain elements of both cultural and natural significance.
World Heritage Sites in India
India is home to 38 recognized World Heritage Sites, with a distribution of 30 cultural properties, 7 natural properties, and 1 mixed site. The most recent addition from India to this prestigious list is the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan.