Seven Indian Natural Heritage Sites Added to UNESCO’s Tentative List | Explained
- TPP
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
India’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites has expanded from 62 to 69 with the addition of seven natural heritage sites, including Deccan Traps, St. Mary’s Island, Meghalayan Caves, Naga Hill Ophiolite, Erra Matti Dibbalu, Tirumala Hills, and Varkala Cliffs—highlighting India’s rich geological and ecological legacy.
India’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites has grown to 69 properties with the inclusion of seven new natural heritage sites. This significant milestone reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to preserve and promote its geological, ecological, and cultural legacy.
A Landmark Addition to India’s Heritage Profile
The Ministry of Culture announced that seven new natural heritage sites from across the country have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, raising India’s count from 62 to 69. With this, India now has:
49 cultural sites
17 natural sites
3 mixed heritage sites
The Tentative List acts as the first step for any site to be considered for the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List, which currently includes more than 1,000 properties globally recognized for their outstanding universal value.
This accomplishment underlines India’s proactive role in safeguarding its rich heritage while simultaneously pushing forward its candidature on the global conservation stage.
Details of the Newly Added Sites
1. Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
Among the largest volcanic features in the world, showcasing some of the best-preserved lava flows.
Situated in the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary (already a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Provides key insights into Earth’s volcanic history.
2. Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka
Famous for its columnar basaltic rock formations, dating back 85 million years to the Late Cretaceous period.
Declared a National Geological Monument by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
Offers a rare geological glimpse into the formation of the Indian subcontinent.
3. Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya
Home to some of the world’s longest caves, including Mawmluh Cave, which is a global stratotype for the Meghalayan Age of the Holocene Epoch.
Known for stalactites, stalagmites, fossils, and unique cave-dwelling species.
Listed among the top 100 geologically important sites worldwide.
4. Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland
Rare exposure of ophiolite rocks, which are sections of oceanic crust and upper mantle thrust onto land through tectonic processes.
Key to understanding plate tectonics and mid-ocean ridge dynamics.
5. Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh
Striking red sand dunes near Visakhapatnam, first documented in 1886 by British geologist William King.
Recognized as a GeoHeritage Monument by GSI in 2016.
Composed of sand, silt, and clay, with the red color caused by oxidation of iron.
Reflects unique paleo-climatic (ancient climate) and coastal geomorphological (landform) history.
6. Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh
Part of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve and Venkateswara National Park.
Includes the iconic Silathoranam (Natural Arch) and the Eparchaean Unconformity, representing over 1.5 billion years of Earth’s geological history.
7. Varkala Cliffs, Kerala
Scenic cliffs along the Arabian Sea exposing the Warkalli Formation of the Mio-Pliocene age (23–2.5 million years ago).
Declared a site of geological and cultural importance, with natural springs, fossil-bearing rocks, and unique erosional landforms.
Also a well-known pilgrimage and tourist destination.
India’s Heritage Strategy and Global Role
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), as the nodal agency for the World Heritage Convention, compiled and submitted the nominations. India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO in Paris commended the ASI’s work in advancing India’s candidature.
This development follows India’s successful hosting of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2024 in New Delhi, where over 2,000 delegates from 140 countries participated.
By aligning national efforts with UNESCO’s global conservation framework, India has demonstrated its strategic intent to integrate natural heritage with cultural and ecological conservation.
Why Inclusion in the Tentative List Matters
According to UNESCO guidelines, only sites first placed on the Tentative List can be nominated for full inscription on the World Heritage List. This makes the inclusion of these seven sites an essential prerequisite for their future recognition at the international level.
It also brings greater attention, research, and funding opportunities for conservation. Moreover, inscription enhances global awareness, boosts eco-tourism, and fosters community participation in heritage management.
Conclusion
With the inclusion of seven new sites, India’s Tentative List now stands at 69 properties—a testament to the country’s diverse and extraordinary geological, natural, and cultural wealth. From the ancient volcanic flows of the Deccan Traps to the breathtaking Meghalayan Caves and the striking Varkala Cliffs, these sites represent Earth’s evolutionary history and India’s unique natural heritage.
This step strengthens India’s position as a global custodian of natural and cultural legacies, reinforcing its pledge to safeguard heritage for future generations while promoting sustainable development and community engagement.
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