A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection under an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). These sites are designated for their cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance, containing heritage of outstanding value to humanity.

History and Background of World Heritage Sites

• Origins: Emerged post-WWII due to concerns over the destruction of cultural and natural sites.
• World Heritage Convention: Drafted in 1972 to establish a framework for preserving outstanding heritage.
  • Purpose: Define criteria for natural or cultural sites eligible for inscription.
  • Commitment: Member countries agree to protect not just national but shared heritage.
• Global Participation: 191 State Parties have ratified the Convention, including India (signed on November 14, 1977).
• Current Statistics: 1,172 sites across 166 countries:
  • 913 cultural
  • 220 natural
  • 39 mixed properties

The World Heritage Convention

• Definition: Defines cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) deserving global conservation.
• Responsibilities: Member states must protect their World Heritage Sites.
• World Heritage Committee and List:
  • Evaluation: Nominated sites assessed by advisory bodies before inscription.
  • Sustainable Development: Links heritage conservation to sustainability goals.
• World Heritage Fund: Established to assist with preservation, supported by member contributions.

Selection Criteria for UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Nomination Process:
  • Rigorous evaluation by UNESCO’s advisory bodies (ICOMOS for cultural sites, IUCN for natural sites).
  • Must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) by meeting specified criteria.
• Criteria for Outstanding Universal Value (OUV):
  • Cultural Sites:
    • Masterpiece of human creative genius.
    • Important cultural interchange or civilization.
    • Unique testimony to a tradition or civilization.
    • Outstanding example of architecture, technology, or landscape.
    • Outstanding example of traditional settlement, land use, or sea use.
    • Association with events or ideas of universal significance.
  • Natural Sites:
    • Superlative natural phenomena or formations.
    • Outstanding example of Earth’s evolutionary history.
    • Significant ecological and biological processes.
    • Important habitats of biological diversity.
• Preservation: Sites must demonstrate adequate preservation and management.

Legal Status of Designated World Heritage Sites

• Ownership and Responsibility:
  • Sites remain under state ownership but require global responsibility for protection.
  • Member states must ensure conservation, integrate protection into planning, and report periodically to the World Heritage Committee.
• Protection Measures:
  • States must avoid actions that could harm the heritage.
  • Educational and informational programs are encouraged.
  • The Committee can deploy experts for assistance or impose sanctions in extreme cases.

• Sovereignty and Responsibility:

  • States maintain sovereignty but accept the responsibility to preserve heritage for humanity, potentially limiting certain activities.