World Heritage Day 2023: Know Theme, Significance, History and India's World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is celebrated on April 18. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first observed the day in 1983. The goal is to raise awareness of the global diversity and cultural heritage. At the 22nd UNESCO General Conference, it was decided to host the day as a global event. The primary objective of World Heritage Day is to raise public awareness of the value of protecting cultural assets, such as old structures, monuments, and historical places.

The purpose of the day is to inspire people to value the diversity of the world's heritage and to get involved in its preservation and conservation. During World Heritage Day, a theme is decided upon each year to highlight a particular facet of cultural heritage. Many events, including exhibitions, cultural gatherings, and narrated tours of historical locations, are frequently part of World Heritage Day celebrations.

These initiatives seek to increase knowledge of cultural heritage, its understanding and appreciation, and the dangers that these sites face from things like climate change, natural disasters, and human activity. World Heritage Day is a significant occasion that encourages the defence and maintenance of cultural heritage all around the world. It serves as a reminder that cultural heritage is something that continues to be important today and will do so in the future.

Theme for World Heritage Day 2023

"Heritage Changes" is the theme of World Heritage Day in 2023. In response to the UN Decade of Action, ICOMOS states that the theme of HERITAGE CHANGES provides the opportunity to address questions about learning about traditional knowledge systems and ways of knowing in relation to climate action, as well as how to use a cultural heritage focus to support equitable protection of vulnerable communities through climate action. Exhibitions, guided tours, talks, seminars, and other cultural events are among these occasions.

History of World Heritage Day

The International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day, is observed on April 18 each year to raise awareness of cultural heritage and to advocate the preservation and protection of significant historical sites around the globe. ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) introduced the proposal for World Heritage Day in 1982, and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) later endorsed it during the 22nd General Conference in 1983. The ICOMOS was created on April 18, 1982, hence that day was chosen as the anniversary date.

The Importance of World Heritage Day

The purpose of World Heritage Day is to spread awareness of the value of protecting cultural heritage and the world's monuments and sites from decay and destruction. World Heritage Day was created in 1983 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote awareness of the importance of heritage assets and the need to protect them for future generations.

Also, the day offers a chance to promote global collaboration in cultural heritage preservation and to recognise the diversity of civilizations around the world. On this day, a variety of events and activities are held throughout the world to raise awareness of the value of heritage sites, their contribution to the formation of our history and identity, and the necessity of their preservation.

What is a World Heritage Site?

A World Heritage site is a landmark or area that has been legally designated as such by an international convention maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO names places as World Heritage Sites when they are considered to be of significant cultural, historical, scientific, or other value. "Cultural and natural heritage around the world deemed to be of outstanding value to humanity (OUV)" is said to be present at the places. A WHS must be an unusual landmark with outstanding cultural or physical significance, as well as being recognisable geographically and historically.

As an illustration, these might be towns, deserts, woods, islands, lakes, monuments, mountains, or wilderness regions, as well as historical or ancient ruins or other constructions. A World Heritage site could be a place of outstanding natural beauty or it could represent a significant human achievement that serves as proof of our intellectual past on the globe.

There are 1,157 World Heritage Sites as of April 2023, spread among 167 nations (900 cultural, 218 natural, and 39 mixed properties); the nations with the most sites are Italy (58), China (56), Germany (51), France (49), Spain (49), India (40), Mexico (35), the United Kingdom (33) and Russia (30).

India's World Heritage Sites

There are 3691 monuments and sites in India. There are 40 of these, including locations like the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, and Ellora Caves, that have been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Natural locations such as Assam's Kaziranga National Park are included on the list of World Heritage Sites.

Kaziranga National Park

There is little human intervention in Kaziranga National Park. Assam is where it is located. The largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses in the world resides there. There are also tigers, bears, elephants, and panthers nearby. In 1985, it was regarded as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in India.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park

In the winter, a variety of aquatic birds, including the rare Siberian crane, can be found in Keoladeo Ghana National Park. There are 364 different bird species there. In 1985, India's Keoladeo Ghana National Park was listed as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Tropical woods and alluvial grasslands can be found within the boundaries of the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in the Himalayan foothills. The Indian rhinoceros, Pygmy hog, Tiger, and Indian elephant are just a few of the endangered animals that exist there. In India, it was designated as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1985.

Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers

In the western Himalayas, meadows of indigenous alpine flowers can be found at Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers. It has rare and threatened creatures like the blue sheep, snow leopard, and Asiatic black bear. In 1988 and 2005, the Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park, respectively, were designated as UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites in India.

Sundarbans National Park

The Sunderbans National Park, which spans 10,000 km2 of both land and water, is situated in the Ganges delta. It has the world's largest Mangrove forest ( in terms of area). The aquatic mammals, tigers, reptiles, and birds of the Sundarbans National Park are all endangered species. It was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in 1987.

India's UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites

The monuments that make up India's UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites include architectural feats, inscriptions, and colossal sculptures. Archaeological sites are also part of it. India's UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites include the following:

Agra Fort

A notable Mughal structure from the 16th century is the Agra Fort. Because it is constructed of red stones, it is also known as the Laal Qila or the Red Fort of Agra. A 2.5 km-long perimeter wall surrounds the Agra Fort. The fort is home to numerous fairytale palaces (Khas Mahal and Jahangir Palace). The Agra Fort also features two stunning mosques.

The Ajanta Caves

Buddhist cave shrines can be found at Ajanta Caves. These prehistoric rock-cut caverns date to the second and first centuries B.C. These are the caves formed by rock. A large number of additional ornately adorned caves were added to the original category between the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., or the Gupta period. These caves show how Ajanta's sculptures and paintings, as well as other outstanding works of Buddhist holy art, were influenced artistically.

The Ellora Caves

Maharashtra's Ellora caverns stretch for more than two kilometres. From 600 to 1000 A.D., 34 monasteries and temples make up this complex. The Ellora Caves, like the Ajanta Caves, show distinctive artistic achievements with effective use of technology. It had temples dedicated to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism

Taj Mahal

The enormous Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra was constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Between 1631 and 1648, white marble was used to construct it. This immensely admired work of art represents Muslim art in India as a sign of love. In 1983, India's Taj Mahal was listed as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.

Konarak's Sun Temple

On the Gulf of Bengal's banks sits the Sun Temple. It is thought to have been constructed in the 13th century, at one of India's most well-known Brahman sanctuaries. It is a colossal depiction of the god Surya (Sun god in Hindu mythology). The cart has 24 wheels, each of which is embellished with a meaningful pattern. In 1984 UNESCO designated this location as a Cultural World Heritage Site.

Mahabalipuram Monument Complex

A single rock was cut into a collection of Sanctuaries known as the Group of Monuments near the Coromandel coast. It is renowned for its rathas, mandapas, enormous open-air reliefs, and sculptures that capture Shiva in all his grandeur. In 1986, the complex of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which date from the seventh and eighth centuries, were designated as a World Heritage Site.

Indian Mountain Railways

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka Shimla Railway are the three sites that make up India's mountain railways. In 1999, 2005, and 2008, respectively, these three Indian Mountain Railroads were designated as UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites in India.

The Qutb Minar and its Monuments

Another 13th-century red sandstone structure in Delhi is called Qutb Minar. With a diameter of 14.32 m at the base and 2.75 m at its height, it has a distinctive tapering shape. The two oldest mosques in north India, including Quwwatu'l-Islam, and Alai-Darwaza Gate surround it. It was constructed from leftover materials from 20 Brahmin temples. In 1993, Qutb Minar was recognised as an Indian cultural world heritage site by UNESCO.

Hill Forts of Rajasthan

Six imposing forts-Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Kumbhalgarh, and Chittorgarh-combine to form The Hill Forts of Rajasthan. The Rajput royal power that ruled from the eighth to the eighteenth centuries is visible in these forts. These forts show a sophisticated water gathering system that is still functional. In 2013, India's Rajasthan Hill Forts were designated as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.

The mixed site is significant from a natural and cultural standpoint. In India, there is just one UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site. It is Khangchendzonga National Park.

Khangchendzonga National Park

Located in Sikkim, Khangchendzonga National Park sits in the heart of the Himalayan range ( North India). Many distinctive glaciers, valleys, lakes, and plains can be found. The National park also has mountains covered with snow. There are ancient forests all throughout these mountains. The third-highest peak in the world, Mount Khangchendzonga, is also located in the Khangchendzonga National Park. Mountains, caves, rivers, and other natural features have cultural value in addition to their natural significance since they are associated with many legendary legends. Residents of Sikkim revere these items because they are connected to several religious myths and rituals (as per the Buddhist beliefs).