About
The rich and diverse cultural heritage of India is widely celebrated, drawing admiration from the global community. India's UNESCO-listed sites encompass a wide range of cultural wonders, including architectural marvels, archaeological wonders, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Each site represents a unique facet of India's diverse heritage, spanning various historical periods, dynasties, and artistic expressions. Furthermore, UNESCO recognizes India's intangible cultural heritage, comprising traditions that have been handed down through generations, contributing to the dynamic and vibrant nature of Indian culture.
Currently, India boasts 40 World Heritage sites and 14 Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, all of which have been officially acknowledged by UNESCO. This map visually illustrates the extensive presence of these invaluable heritage sites across the vast Indian landscape.
By showcasing the geographic distribution of these heritage sites, the map offers a comprehensive view of India's cultural wealth and its significant contributions to the world's shared heritage. It stands as a visual testament to India's unwavering commitment to preserving and safeguarding these treasures for the appreciation and enjoyment of future generations.
Selection criteria
- (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.
