World Heritage Sites in India

  • A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance. The list of World Heritage Sites is maintained by the international ‘World Heritage Programme’, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
    • The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is composed of 21 UNESCO member states, elected by the General Assembly.
  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
  • This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
  • As of Sep 2023, India has 42 world heritage sites that include 34 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties, and 1 mixed site.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

  • It was founded in 1945 to develop the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” as a means of building lasting peace.
  • It is located in Paris, France.

How is a World Heritage Site selected?

  • The first step towards the listing is the nomination of a site by the respective government of a country.
  • The site should have an Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) for World Heritage nomination.
  • To determine the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) for World Heritage nomination, there are ten enlisted criteria.
  • The proposed nomination must satisfy at least one of these ten criteria.
  • The Nomination File is then evaluated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the World Conservation Union.
  • These bodies then make their recommendations to the World Heritage Committee.
  • The Committee meets once per year to determine whether or not to inscribe each nominated property on the World Heritage List and sometimes defers the decision to request more information from the country which nominated the site.

10 criteria for determining Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)

(i)to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;
(ii)to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a   cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;
(iii)to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
(iv)to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological   ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;
(v)to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;
(vi)to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria.
(vii)to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
(viii)to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
(ix)to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
(x)to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

Legal Status of Designated Sites

  • A UNESCO designated World Heritage Site provides prima facie evidence that such culturally sensitive sites are legally protected pursuant to the Law of War, under the Geneva Convention, its articles, protocols and customs, together with other treaties including the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and international law.
  • Article 53 of the Geneva Convention treaty promulgates:
    • Protection of Cultural Objects and of Places of Worship. Without prejudice to the provisions of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 14 May 1954, ‘ and of other relevant international instruments, it is prohibited:
      • To commit any acts of hostility directed against the historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples;
      • To use such objects in support of the military effort;
      • To make such objects the object of reprisals.

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

List of UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites in India

Natural World Heritage SiteStateYear of Notification
Kaziranga National ParkAssam1985
Keoladeo Ghana National ParkRajasthan1985
Manas Wildlife SanctuaryAssam1985
Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of FlowersUttarakhand1988
Sundarbans National ParkWest Bengal1987
Western GhatsMaharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and, Kerala2012
Great Himalayan National ParkHimachal Pradesh2014

List of UNESCO Cultural World Heritage sites in India

Cultural World Heritage SiteStateYear of Notification
Sacred Ensembles of the HoysalasKarnataka2023
SantiniketanWest Bengal2023
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) TempleTelangana2021
Dholavira: a Harappan CityGujarat2021
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern MovementChandigarh2016
Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of MumbaiMaharashtra2018
Historic City of AhmedabadGujarat2017
Jaipur CityRajasthan2020
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University)Bihar2016
Rani-Ki-VavGujarat2014
Hill Forts of RajasthanRajasthan2013
The Jantar MantarRajasthan2010
Red Fort ComplexDelhi2007
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological ParkGujarat2004
Chhatrapati Shivaji TerminusMaharashtra2004
Rock Shelters of BhimbetkaMadhya Pradesh2003
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh GayaBihar2002
Mountain Railways of IndiaTamil Nadu1999
Humayun’s Tomb, DelhiDelhi1993
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, DelhiDelhi1993
Buddhist Monuments at SanchiMadhya Pradesh1989
Elephanta CavesMaharashtra1987
Great Living Chola TemplesTamil Nadu1987
Group of Monuments at PattadakalKarnataka1987
Churches and Convents of GoaGoa1986
Fatehpur SikriUttar Pradesh1986
Group of Monuments at HampiKarnataka1986
Khajuraho Group of MonumentsMadhya Pradesh1986
Group of Monuments at MahabalipuramTamil Nadu1984
Sun Temple, KonarakOrissa1984
Agra FortUttar Pradesh1983
Ajanta CavesMaharashtra1983
Ellora CavesMaharashtra1983
Taj MahalUttar Pradesh1983

UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Sites

A mixed site comprises components of both natural and cultural importance:

Mixed World Heritage SiteStateYear of Notification
Khangchendzonga National ParkSikkim2016
world heritage sites in india upsc

Important Facts about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Agra Fort (1983)

  • 16th-century Mughal monument
  • Fortress of red sandstone
  • It comprises the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas

Ajanta Caves (1983)

  • Location: Ajanta is a series of rock-cut caves in the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) on the Waghora river near Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
  • Number of Caves: There are a total of 29 caves (all Buddhist) of which 25 were used as Viharas or residential caves while 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer halls.
  • Time of Development
    • The caves were developed in the period between 200 B.C. to 650 A.D.
    • The Ajanta caves were inscribed by the Buddhist monks, under the patronage of the Vakataka kings – Harishena being a prominent one.
    • Reference of the Ajanta caves can be found in the travel accounts of Chinese Buddhist travellers Fa Hien (during the reign of Chandragupta II; 380- 415 CE) and Hieun Tsang (during the reign of emperor Harshavardhana; 606 – 647 CE). .
  • Painting
    • The figures in these caves were done using fresco painting.
    • The outlines of the paintings were done in red colour. One of the striking features is the absence of blue colour in the paintings.
    • The paintings are generally themed around Buddhism – the life of Buddha and Jataka stories.
Ajanta Caves 1983

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)

  • Remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.
  • Includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important artworks in stucco, stone and metal.
  • Considered to be the most ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent.

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)

  • It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was a major Buddhist centre in India until the 12th century A.D.
  • Consists of monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries) all in different states of conservation most of which date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)

  • Prehistoric (chalcolithic) sites, a hill fortress of early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat.
  • Also includes, among other vestiges, fortifications, palaces, religious buildings, residential precincts, agricultural structures and water installations, from the 8th to 14th centuries.
  • The Kalikamata Temple on top of Pavagadh Hill is considered to be an important shrine, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.
  • The site is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)

  • Example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture.
  • The building, designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and the major international mercantile port of India. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models.
  • Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture.

Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)

  • The churches and convents of Goa, particularly the Basilica of Bom Jesus indicate commencement of evangelization in Asia.
  • The Basilica of Bom Jesus also houses the sacred tomb of St. Francis Xavier.
  • These monuments are well known for spreading- Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art in major parts of Asia.

Elephanta Caves (1987)

  • Located at Elephanta island or island of Gharapuri(literally- ‘City of Caves’) in the Sea of Oman, close to Mumbai.
  • Contains a collection of rock art connected to the Shaivite cult.
  • It is a vital symbol of the greatness of Indian art, especially the huge high reliefs in the main cave.
  • They were constructed around the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD.

Ellora Caves

  • Location: It is located nearly 100 Kms away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra.
  • Number of Caves: It is a group of 34 caves – 17 Brahmanical, 12 Buddhist, and 5 Jain.
  • Time of Development
    • These set of caves were developed during the period between the 5th and 11th centuries A.D. (newer as compared to Ajanta Caves) by various guilds from Vidarbha, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
    • That is why the caves reflect a natural diversity in terms of theme and architectural styles.
  • The Ellora complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
  • The most remarkable of the cave temples is Kailasa (Kailasanatha; cave 16), named for the mountain in the Kailasa Range of the Himalayas where the Hindu god Shiva resides.

Fatehpur Sikri (1986)

  • Built during the second half of the 16th century by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri or ‘The City of Victory,’ also served as the capital of the Mughal empire for a short time period.
  • It contains an array of monuments and temples, including one of the largest mosques in India- the Jama Masjid.

Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)

  • Built by kings of the Chola empire, these temples manifest the precision and perfection of the Cholas in architecture, sculpture, painting, and bronze casting.
  • This site includes three 11th and 12th– century temples: Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram, and Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
  • The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram built by Rajendra the First in 1035 and the Airavatesvara Temple built by Rajaraja the Second, feature vimana (sanctum tower) of 53m and 24m respectively.
  • Brihadisvara and Airavatesvara temple
Brihadisvara and Airavatesvara temple

Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)

  • This site was the last capital of the kingdom of Vijaynagar.
  • These Dravidian temples and palaces were built by rulers of Vijaynagar between the 14th and 16th centuries.
  • In 1565, the city was captured by Deccan Muslim Confederacy and pillaged for a period of 6 months, before being abandoned.
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)

  • This group of monuments was founded by Pallava kings in the 7th and 8th centuries along the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal.
  • These temples boast of intricate and unique architectural styles in the form of- rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries) and giant open-air reliefs such as- ‘Descent of the Ganges.’
  • It also encloses the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures dedicated to the glory of Shiva.

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)

  • Pattadakal in Karnataka showcases a unique blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India, achieved under the Chalukya dynasty during the 7th and 8th centuries.
  • It comprises nine Hindu temples as well as a Jain sanctuary including the Temple of Virupaksha, a masterpiece built in c.740 by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband’s victory.

Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)

  • This site includes six majestic forts situated in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jhalawar, all situated in the state of Rajasthan.
  • The magnificent and stalwart exterior of the forts manifests the lifestyle and nature of the Rajput rule over this land from 8th to 18th centuries.
  • These fortifications enclose urban centres, palaces, trading centres and temples, where various forms of art and culture flourished.
  • Some of the urban centres, as well as most of the temples and other sacred places, have survived as the forts used natural resources such as- hills, deserts, forests etc for protection.

Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017)

  • Located on the eastern bank of Sabarmati river, this city was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15th century. It also served as the capital of the state of Gujarat for centuries.
  • This city is a testimony to the harmonious existence of diverse religions on this land, exhibited by its architecture which includes the famous Bhadra citadel accompanied by various mosques, tombs as well as numerous Hindu and Jain temples.
  • The urban fabric consists of densely- packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras).

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)

  • Built-in 1570, it has long-standing cultural significance because it was the first garden-tomb to be constructed in India.
  • This tomb was the inspiration behind several architectural innovations including the Taj Mahal.

Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)

  • It was founded in 1727 AD by the then Kachwaha Rajput ruler of Amber, Sawai Jai Singh II. It also serves as the capital city of the state of Rajasthan.
  • The city was established on the plains and built according to a grid plan interpreted in the light of Vedic architecture.
  • The city’s urban planning shows an exchange of ideas from ancient Hindu and modern Mughal as well as Western cultures.
  • Designed to be a commercial capital, the city has maintained its local commercial, artisanal and cooperative traditions to this day.
  • The iconic monuments in the city include the Govind Dev temple, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal etc.
  • Jaipur has become the second city of the country after Ahmedabad to get the recognition of the World Heritage Site.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)

  • These temples were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached at its pinnacle between 950 and 1050.
  • Only 20 temples remain, belonging to two different religions namely-Hinduism and Jainism, including the famous Temple of Kandariya decorated with intricately and beautifully carved sculptures.

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)

  • This temple was earlier built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C.However, the present structure dates back to the 5th or 6th centuries.
  • It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick and considered to be one of the four sacred sites associated with the life of Gautama Buddha.

Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)

  • This site includes three railways:
  • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
  • Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This line, started in 1891 and completed till 1908, is a 46-km long meter-gauge single-track railway in Tamil Nadu.
  • Kalka Shimla Railway

Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)

  • Qutub Minar was built in red sandstone in the early 13th century, in Delhi.
  • It is 72.5 m high, with diameters of 14.32 m and 2.75 m at its base and peak respectively.
  • The tower is surrounded by various aesthetically-pleasing treasures, for instance- the Alai Darwaza built-in 1311 as well as two mosques including the Quwwatu’l-Islam, the oldest mosque in northern India.

Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)

  • Situated on the banks of Saraswati river, this stepwell was built as a memorial to a king.
  • Stepwells are considered to be easily accessible underground water resources and storage systems, which have been constructed in the Indian subcontinent since the 3rd millennium B.C.
  • This stepwell flaunts the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, designed in the form of an inverted temple to emphasize the sanctity of water and is endowed with more than thousand sculptures depicting a combination of religious, mythological and secular imagery.

Red Fort Complex (2007)

  • This was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the capital of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and is named after its immense walls of red sandstone.
  • The Red Fort Complex in entirety, includes the Red Fort as well as Salimgarh fort built-in 1546 by Islam Shah Suri.
  • Red Fort is a reflection of the acme of Mughal architectural innovation and craftsmanship. The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each structure mirrors architectural elements derived from a combination of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions.
  • The row of pavilions are connected by a continuous water channel known as Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise).

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)

  • These shelters are located within the foothills of Vindhya range, on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau.
  • Unearthed in the form of five clusters of natural rock shelters exhibiting paintings that date back to the Mesolithic, and other periods succeeding it.
  • The cultural traditions of the inhabitants in surrounding areas are very similar to those displayed in the paintings.

Sun Temple, Konarak (1984)

  • Konark Sun Temple, located in East Odisha near the sacred city of Puri.
  • Built-in 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1238-1264). Its scale, refinement, and conception represent the strength and stability of the Ganga Empire as well as the value systems of the historic milieu.
  • The temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot. It is dedicated to the Sun God. In this sense, it is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief systems.
  • The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work.
  • It marks the highest point of achievement of Kalinga architecture depicting the grace, the joy, and the rhythm of life all its wondrous variety.
  • There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark sun temple. Some say the wheels represent the 24 hours in a day and others say the 12 months.
  • The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week.
  • Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konark, the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.
  • Konârak is the invaluable link in the history of the diffusion of the cult of Surya, which originating in Kashmir during the 8th century, finally reached the shores of Eastern India.
Sun Temple, Konarak (1984)

Taj Mahal (1983)

  • The Taj Mahal (Agra) is a mausoleum of white marble built by the Mughal emperor, Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It stands on the banks of the river Yamuna.
  • The construction of the Taj Mahal was completed within a period of 17 years from 1631 to 1648 AD.
  • The Taj Mahal was declared a centrally protected monument of national importance in December 1920.
  • Considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it was inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites in 1983.
  • It is famous for its unique layout, perfection in symmetry and inlay work.

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (2016)

  • This transnational serial property includes 17 sites spread across 7 countries stands as a testimony of a new form of architectural expression weaved with modern traditions.
  • These sites, in totality, propagate ideals of the Modern movement and are also considered as a significant response to fundamental issues of architecture and society in the 20th century.
  • Complexe du Capitole, Chandigarh, The Museum of Western Art in Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina), Unité d’habitation in Marseille (France) etc, are some of the well-known sites included in this property.

The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)

  • Built in the early 18th century, Jantar Mantar is designed to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye. A set of 20 main instruments are installed in this site to make accurate observations.
  • It is a manifestation of astronomical skills and knowledge, dating back to the Mughal times.

Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)

  • This site includes a collection of public buildings designed in Victorian Neo-Gothic style in the 19th century and Art Deco style in the 20th century.
  • Both the styles are intermingled with Indian architectural elements. For instance- The buildings designed in Victorian Neo-Gothic styles are endowed with balconies and verandas. Similarly, the Indo- Deco is a term used to describe the style emerged after adding Indian elements to Art Deco imagery and architecture.

Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple (2021)

  • The Hindu temple was constructed in the first half of the 13th century under the Kakatiya dynasty.
  • It is decorated with stone carvings and sculptures in granite and dolerite that depict regional dance customs.
  • In line with Hindu practices, the temple is constructed in a way that it blends harmonically with the environment.
  • The structure has decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite with a distinctive and pyramidal Vimana made of lightweight porous bricks, so-called ‘floating bricks’, which reduced the weight of the roof structures.

Dholavira: a Harappan City (2021)

  • Dholavira was one of the centres of the Harappan Civilisation from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE, in the Bronze Age.
  • Discovered by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi in 1968, Dholavira gets its name from the village in Kutch district of Gujarat.
  • In ancient India, it has remained a commercial and manufacturing hub for about 1,500 years till its decline by 1500 BC.
  • The city had trade connections with other cities in the region and as far as Mesopotamia. The site was rediscovered in 1968.
  • It was Indus Valley Civilization’s fifth-largest metropolis after Mohen-jo-Daro, Ganweriwala, Harappa and Rakhigarhi.

Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas

  • The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas is a group of three Hoysala-style temples in South India.
  • The temples are located in Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura in the Hassan and Mysuru districts of Karnataka.
  • The temples, often described as ‘poetry carved in stone’ were recommended to the list by India’s Culture Ministry in 2022-23.
  • The temples included in the ensemble are:
    • Channakeshava Temple, Belur, Hassan district (Commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana, dedicated to God Vishnu)
    • Hoysalesvara Temple, Halebidu, Hassan district (Commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana, dedicated to God Shiva)
    • Kesava Temple, Somanathapura, Mysuru district (Consecrated by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III, dedicated to God Vishnu)
  • The temples were built by the followers of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Jainism, and they are richly decorated with stone sculptures and carvings.

Santiniketan

  • Located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Santiniketan, meaning “abode of peace,” began its development in 1901 and is where Rabindranath Tagore laid the foundation for Visva-Bharati University.
  • It was established by Rabindranath Tagore.
  • Santiniketan has immense significance in human values, architectural and technological developments, monumental arts, town planning, and landscape design.
  • Efforts to get Santiniketan listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site date back to 2010, with the latest nomination proposal initiated in the 2020-21 fiscal year.
  • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been involved in restoring various structures in Santiniketan in recent years.

Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)

  • Located in western part of Himalayan mountains in the state of Himachal Pradesh, this Park is well known for its high alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests.
  • It also encloses glacial and snow meltwater sources of several rivers as well as the catchment area.
  • It is a biodiversity hotspot with 25 types of forests inhabited by myriads of faunal species, several of which are threatened.

Kaziranga National Park (1985)

  • Location: It is located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 ha. It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
  • Legal Status
    • It was declared as a National Park in 1974.
    • It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. It has a total tiger reserve area of 1,030 sq km with a core area of 430 sq. km.
  • International Status
    • It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
    • It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
  • Important Species Found
    • It is the home of the world’s most one-horned rhinos.
    • Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga is focused on the ‘big four’ species— rhino, elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, and Asiatic water buffalo.
    • The 2018 census had yielded 2,413 rhinos and approximately 1,100 elephants.
    • As per the figures of tiger census conducted in 2014, Kaziranga had an estimated 103 tigers, the third-highest population in India after Jim Corbett National Park (215) in Uttarakhand and Bandipur National Park (120) in Karnataka.
    • Kaziranga is also home to 9 of the 14 species of primates found in the Indian subcontinent.
  • Rivers and Highways
    • The National Highway 37 passes through the park area.
    • The park also has more than 250 seasonal water bodies, besides the Diphlu River running through it.

Keoladeo National Park (1985)

  • This wetland is located in the state of Rajasthan and served as a duck shooting reserve till the end of 19th century. However, soon enough the hunting ceased and the area was declared a national park in 1982.
  • This National Park is home to 375 bird species and various other life forms. It also serves as a wintering ground to Palaearctic migratory waterfowl, critically endangered Siberian Crane as well as to globally threatened- Greater Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle.
  • It is acclaimed for its resident population of non-migratory breeding birds.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)

  • Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot located in Assam. It is a part of Manas Tiger Reserve and sprawls alongside Manas river.
  • A range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests are responsible for the breathtaking beauty and serene environment of the site.
  • It also provides a habitable environment to a range of endangered species such as- tiger, greater one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog and Bengal florican.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)

  • Both of these National Parks are exceptionally beautiful high-altitude West Himalayan landscapes and fall within the boundaries of the state of Uttarakhand.
  • Nanda Devi National Park boasts rugged and high-mountain wilderness and is dominated by India’s second-highest mountain-the peak of Nanda Devi. The Valley of Flowers, in contrast, flaunts aesthetically pleasing meadows of alpine flowers.
  • Numerous kinds of floral and faunal species reside in these parks, along with a significant population of globally threatened species including- Snow leopard, Himalayan Musk Deer etc.

Sundarban National Park (1987)

  • The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world, lies across India and Bangladesh on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal.
  • It is adjacent to the border of India’s Sundarbans World Heritage site inscribed in 1987.
  • The site is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes.
  • The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger, and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.
    • It is home to many rare and globally threatened wildlife species such as the estuarine crocodile, Royal Bengal Tiger, Water monitor lizard, Gangetic dolphin, and olive ridley turtles.

Western Ghats (2012)

  • Western Ghats consist of a chain of mountains running parallel to India’s Western Coast and passing from the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
  • They cover an immense area in a 1600 km long stretch and are interrupted only once by a 30km Palghat gap at around 11 degrees North.
  • They also influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns that mediate the warm tropical climate of the region and act as a barrier to rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west.
  • Western Ghats are also home to tropical evergreen forests, as well as to 325 globally threatened species.

Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)

  • Located in Sikkim, this National Park is dominated by the world’s third-highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.
  • The Park comprises steep-sided valleys, snow-
  • clad mountains and various lakes and glaciers including the 26km long Zemu glacier, located around the base of Mount Khangchendzonga.
  • It covers almost 25% of the state of Sikkim and ensures a habitable environment for various endemic as well as threatened, plant and animal species.
  • Cultural Significance of Khangchendzonga National Park
    • KNP is home to a sacred site of one of the world’s leading religious traditions. The notion of beyul or hidden sacred land, which extends to all of Sikkim, but has its heart in the territory of Khangchendzonga National Park, is important in Tibetan Buddhism, not only intrinsic to Sikkim but in the neighboring countries and beyond.
    • The multi-layered sacred landscape of Khangchendzonga and the cultural and religious relevance of the hidden land (beyul in Tibetan Buddhism and Mayel Lyang, in Lepcha tradition) is specific to Sikkim and is a unique example of co-existence and exchange between different religious traditions and people.
    • The indigenous religious and cultural practices of the Lepcha with regard to the ecology and the specific properties of local plants stands as an example of traditional knowledge and environmental preservation.

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Jyoti

Very well explained. Thank you!

Anusha

Thank you sir/mam..
Can you pls update all the topics for UPSC 2022 ?

chanchala mukati

very helpful
can u update it for upsc 2022

ManojP

Superb sir