Seven Indian Natural Sites Added to UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List

India has taken another historic step in safeguarding its natural and cultural treasures with the successful inclusion of seven new natural heritage sites in the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. This achievement raises India’s tally of sites on the Tentative List from 62 to 69, comprising 49 cultural properties, 17 natural heritage sites, and 3 mixed properties.

The addition of these sites underscores India’s global leadership in heritage conservation and reflects the country’s long-standing commitment to protecting both its ancient cultural traditions and diverse ecosystems.

Gateway to UNESCO World Heritage Status

According to UNESCO’s protocol, inclusion in the Tentative List is an essential prerequisite for any site to be formally nominated to the World Heritage List. India’s new entries not only strengthen its global standing but also pave the way for future recognition of its natural wonders at the highest level.

The Newly Added Seven Sites

1. Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra Located within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary—already a UNESCO World Heritage Site—these volcanic basaltic formations represent some of the world’s most studied lava flows, dating back nearly 66 million years.

2. Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka Famous for its columnar basaltic rocks, this cluster of islands provides a rare glimpse into geological processes of the Late Cretaceous period, around 85 million years ago.

3. Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya The cave systems, especially the Mawmluh Cave, serve as the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Meghalayan Age within the Holocene Epoch. They are critical for understanding climate change and Earth’s geological evolution.

4. Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland This rare geological exposure showcases ophiolite rocks, fragments of oceanic crust thrust onto continental plates, offering insights into plate tectonics and mid-ocean ridge dynamics.

5. Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh Near Visakhapatnam, these striking formations are renowned for their paleo-climatic records and coastal geomorphology, offering a vivid narrative of Earth’s climatic shifts.

6. Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh This site includes the Eparchaean Unconformity—a geological feature representing 1.5 billion years of Earth’s history—and the iconic Silathoranam (Natural Arch), a marvel of natural rock formation.

7. Varkala Cliffs, Kerala Rising dramatically along Kerala’s coastline, these cliffs expose the Warkalli Formation of the Mio-Pliocene age. Their natural springs and erosional landforms make them both scientifically significant and a tourist attraction.

National and International Significance

The inclusion of these sites demonstrates India’s proactive heritage diplomacy. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the country’s nodal agency for UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention, prepared and submitted the nominations.

The Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO in Paris commended the ASI’s efforts, noting that the new inclusions reflect India’s strategic focus on linking conservation with global sustainability goals.

Hosting the Global Heritage Community

This achievement also follows India’s successful hosting of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2024, in New Delhi, which welcomed over 2,000 delegates and experts from 140 countries. The event positioned India as a key player in shaping global conservation policies.

A Step Towards Global Recognition

These inclusions mark the beginning of a longer journey for the sites, which will undergo evaluation before potential nomination to the World Heritage List. Their recognition would not only enhance India’s global cultural and natural identity, but also boost scientific research, eco-tourism, and sustainable development around these locations.

With this achievement, India continues to blend its ancient heritage with modern conservation strategies, ensuring that its treasures remain safeguarded for generations to come.