The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently added six Indian sites to the tentative list of world heritage sites. This initiative has been undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India, which is tasked with the conservation and preservation of Indian monuments. The addition of these sites underscores their historical, cultural, or natural significance, and puts them under consideration for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
Understanding the Tentative List and World Heritage Sites
As per the Operational Guidelines 2019 of UNESCO, a monument or site must sit on the Tentative List for one year before it is considered for the World Heritage List. After nomination, the site is then sent to the World Heritage Centre (WHC). Currently, India houses 48 sites in the Tentative List.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a designated area or object of “outstanding universal value” under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972. They are categorised into three types: cultural, natural, and mixed heritage sites. Cultural sites encompass historic buildings, important archaeological sites, monumental sculptures or paintings, while natural heritage sites include ecologically valuable areas that house endangered species or unique natural phenomena. Mixed heritage sites combine elements of both categories. India currently has 38 world heritage sites: 30 cultural properties, seven natural properties, and one mixed site.
Introduction to the New Entries
Six Indian places have been added to the Tentative List, each with its own rich history and significance.
Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is home to an array of species from different regions and is the largest tiger-occupied forest with the highest tiger population.
The Ghats of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, primarily used for bathing and Hindu religious rituals, date back to the 14th century.
The Megalithic Site of Hire Benkal in Karnataka is one of the largest prehistoric megalithic settlements, with some intact funerary monuments that date back to 2,800 years.
Architectural Marvel: Maratha Military Architecture
Among the newly added sites, the Maratha Military Architecture in Maharashtra stands out. The area hosts 12 forts dating back to the 17th-century reign of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji. These forts offer a comprehensive peek into various forms of architecture.
Exploring Nature at Bhedaghat-Lametaghat
Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in the Narmada Valley in Jabalpur, also known as the Grand Canyon of India, is famous for its marble rocks flanking the Narmada river. The area is also rich in dinosaur fossils.
Temples of Kanchipuram: Spiritual and Architectural Heritage
Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, known for its spirituality, serenity, and silk, sits on the banks of River Vegavathi. The city used to have 1,000 temples, but now only 126 remain. These temples are architectural gems from the Pallava dynasty, illustrating a fine example of Dravidian styles.
