UNESCO Recognition For Indian Properties

India has recently added Six Properties to UNESCO’s Tentative List

About the Newly Added Properties to the tentative list

Site	Location	Key Features
Kanger Valley National Park	Chhattisgarh	Rich in biodiversity with unique flora and fauna. Home to limestone caves, waterfalls, and dense forests.
Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs	Telangana	Ancient megalithic burial structures from prehistoric times. Important for archaeological and anthropological studies.
Ashokan Edict Sites	Multiple States	Rock and pillar edicts of Emperor Ashoka from the Mauryan era. Provide insights into early Indian administration, religion, and governance.
Chausath Yogini Temples	Multiple States	Circular temple structures with 64 Yogini deities. Associated with Tantric worship and built on elevated locations.
Gupta Temples	North India	Iconic temples showcasing Gupta-era architecture (4th-6th century CE). Represent early temple-building traditions with intricate carvings.
Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas	Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh	Fortified palaces built by the Bundela Rajputs. Known for Rajput-Mughal architectural fusion and historical significance.

The tentative list is an inventory of sites a country intends to nominate for UNESCO’s World Heritage status.
Inclusion in the tentative list is a mandatory step before a site is officially nominated for the World Heritage List.
India now has 62 sites on UNESCO’s tentative list.

Total World Heritage Sites: 43.
Categories:
- Cultural Sites: 35 (e.g., Taj Mahal, Jaipur City).
- Natural Sites: 7 (e.g., Kaziranga National Park, Western Ghats).
- Mixed Site: 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park).
Latest Addition: Moidams (Ahom Dynasty burial mounds, Assam) recognized in 2024.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are landmarks recognized for their cultural, natural, or mixed significance, holding outstanding universal value.
Establishment: The World Heritage Convention was adopted by UNESCO in 1972 to identify and protect sites of global importance.
Purpose: The program aims to preserve cultural heritage, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable tourism while fostering international cooperation.
Significance
- Recognition enhances global awareness and conservation efforts, ensuring legal protection and funding for preservation.
- Inscription on the World Heritage List boosts tourism, economic development, and cultural pride for the host country.

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes global peace and security through education, science, culture, and communication.
Establishment: UNESCO was founded in 1945, and is headquartered in Paris, France
Objectives:
- Promote education for all and lifelong learning.
- Safeguard cultural heritage and diversity.
- Advance scientific research and sustainable development.
- Support freedom of expression and media literacy.
Various Lists Published by UNESCO
- World Heritage List (Cultural & Natural sites of global importance).
- Intangible Cultural Heritage List (Traditions, arts, and practices).
- Memory of the World Register (Documentary heritage preservation).
- UNESCO Global Geoparks (Sites of geological significance).
Different Initiatives of UNESCO
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to integrate sustainability into learning.
- Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme for conservation of ecosystems.
- Creative Cities Network to promote cultural industries.
- International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) to strengthen global media.

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