On the 18th of April every year, a celebration known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites or ‘World Heritage Day’ takes place globally. For the year 2022, the theme chosen is “Heritage and Climate”. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about heritage amongst communities worldwide.
The Origin of World Heritage Day
The establishment of World Heritage Day occurred in 1982 by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Following this, it gained approval from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the year 1983.
Understanding UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites
A World Heritage Site is a location recognized by UNESCO due to its unique cultural or physical importance. The list of these sites is looked after by the ‘World Heritage Programme’. This programme is administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee under the international treaty – ‘Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage’, which was put into effect by UNESCO in the year 1972.
India: A Repository of World Heritage Sites
Home to a staggering number of 3691 monuments and sites, India has 40 of these designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. Natural sites, such as the Kaziranga National Park, also come under World Heritage Sites. In addition, the Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat is registered as India’s 40th world heritage site. The Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim holds the distinction of being India’s first and sole “Mixed World Heritage Site”.
In the year 2022, the Union Ministry of Culture proposed the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas temples for consideration as a World Heritage site for the years 2022-2023.
About UNESCO
Established in 1945, UNESCO’s primary objective is to foster the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” as a path to achieve enduring peace. It is based in Paris, France and has been instrumental in launching major initiatives such as the Man and Biosphere Programme, World Heritage Programme, Global Geopark Network, Network of Creative Cities, and the Atlas of World Languages in Danger.
The Role of ICOMOS
ICOMOS, a global non-governmental organization that works in association with UNESCO, endeavors to promote the conservation, protection, enhancement, and use of monuments, building complexes, and sites. As an Advisory Body of the World Heritage Committee, it ensures the preservation status of properties and scrutinizes nominations of cultural world heritage. Debuts in 1965, ICOMOS is the culmination of early 20th-century discussions between architects, historians and international experts, which were formally acknowledged with the adoption of the Venice Charter in 1964.
Heritage Recognition: A Case Study
In 2009, the Kalka-Shimla Railway was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The line, 96 km in length, was constructed in the mid-19th century to provide service to the highland town of Shimla. The historic railway line, approximately 111 years old, became a UNESCO declared World Heritage railway line in 2008 and is listed under “Mountain Railways of India”. This example illustrates how unique sites are recognized and preserved for their historical and cultural value.
