Context:

India has recently added new natural heritage sites from different parts of the country to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. With this, the total number of Indian sites on the Tentative List has gone up from 62 to 69. Out of these, 49 are cultural, 17 are natural, and 3 are mixed heritage sites.

The Seven Newly Added Sites:

1.       Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

o    Part of the Deccan Traps, one of the world’s largest volcanic regions.

o    Known for their well-preserved lava flows.

o    Located inside the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, which is already a World Heritage Site.

2.      St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka

o    Famous for its rare columnar basaltic rocks.

o    These rocks were formed about 85 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period.

o    They are both geologically important and visually unique.

3.      Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya

o    Includes Mawmluh Cave, which is the global reference point for the Meghalayan Age of the Holocene Epoch.

o    These caves preserve signs of climate change and geological events from the past.

4.     Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland

o    Shows a rare type of rock called ophiolite, which is oceanic crust lifted onto land.

o    Helps scientists understand tectonic processes and movement of Earth’s plates.

5.     Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh

o    Striking red sand formations near Visakhapatnam.

o    These dunes tell us about ancient climate, coastal changes, and Earth’s natural history.

6.     Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh

o    Known for the Eparchaean Unconformity, which shows a geological gap of more than 1.5 billion years.

o    Also home to the natural rock arch Silathoranam, an iconic geological landmark.

7.      Varkala Cliffs, Kerala

o    Beautiful cliffs along the Kerala coast that expose the Warkalli Formation of the Mio-Pliocene age.

o    They have natural springs and erosional features, making them valuable for both science and tourism.

About UNESCO’s Tentative List:

Before a site can become a World Heritage Site, it must first be placed on a country’s Tentative List. This is like the first stage of selection, where the site’s importance and universal value are studied before sending it for final nomination to UNESCO.

·        The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which handles India’s World Heritage matters, prepared and submitted the nominations.

·        India also showed leadership in heritage conservation by hosting the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi in July 2024, which saw over 2,000 delegates from 140 countries.

Conclusion:

The addition of these seven natural sites reflects India’s commitment to protecting its extraordinary geological and ecological treasures. It is also a step toward ensuring that these unique places are preserved for the world to see and for future generations to learn from.