India’s UNESCO Tentative List grows to 69 with Seven New Natural Sites
Analysis
• Seven new natural heritage sites from India have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
• India’s total count on the Tentative List has increased from 62 to 69 properties.
• As per the Ministry of Culture, India now has:
– 49 Cultural properties
– 17 Natural properties
– 3 Mixed heritage properties
• Newly included sites are:
– Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
– Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka
– Meghalayan Age Caves
– Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland
– Erra Matti Dibbalu, Andhra Pradesh
– Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh
– Varkala Cliffs, Kerala
• Inclusion in the Tentative List is a prerequisite for nomination to the World Heritage List.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the nodal agency for implementation of the World Heritage Convention in India and compiled the nominations.
• India hosted the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi in July 2024, with participation of over 2,000 delegates from more than 140 countries.
Significance for UPSC
• Important for Prelims: UNESCO classification, Tentative List requirement, ASI’s role.
• Important for Mains (GS I & GS III): Conservation of natural heritage, geological formations, international conventions.
Static Part
• UNESCO World Heritage List includes sites of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
• Tentative List inclusion is mandatory before final nomination.
• Sites are classified as Cultural, Natural, or Mixed.
• India is a signatory to the World Heritage Convention.
Updated - 18 September 2025 ; 9:16 PM | News Source: DD News