📝 UNESCO World Heritage Site Nomination Process (India) – Notes

1️⃣ Tentative List

• The Tentative List is prepared and submitted by the
  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
  under the Ministry of Culture.
• Only sites included in the Tentative List can be nominated for World Heritage status.
• UNESCO does not survey or prepare the Tentative List.
• Each country is responsible for its own Tentative List.

2️⃣ Role of UNESCO

• The global body overseeing World Heritage Sites is
  UNESCO.
• UNESCO receives nominations from member countries.
• Final decision is taken by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

3️⃣ For a National Park (Natural Site)

• Initial proposal generally comes from State Government / Forest Department.
• Scientific surveys and biodiversity documentation are required.
• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) may be assigned to conduct biodiversity and ecological surveys.
• WII provides scientific data but does not declare the site as a World Heritage Site.
• A detailed Nomination Dossier is prepared (including maps, legal protection, Outstanding Universal Value, conservation status).

4️⃣ Nomination & Evaluation Process

• The final nomination is submitted by the Government of India to UNESCO.
• Advisory bodies evaluate the nomination:
  • IUCN – For Natural Sites
  • ICOMOS – For Cultural Sites
• A field mission and site inspection may be conducted.
• The World Heritage Committee makes the final decision:
  • Inscribe
  • Defer
  • Refer
  • Reject