India Adds 7 Natural Sites to UNESCO Tentative List

• 20 Sep 2025

Source: DD

Why in News? 

India has added seven natural sites to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites (WHS), taking its total to 69 (49 cultural, 17 natural, and 3 mixed properties). This highlights the country’s commitment to preserving its rich natural and cultural heritage.

What is UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites?

• About: It is the first step toward UNESCO World Heritage nomination. Countries identify cultural or natural sites of outstanding universal value and submit them to UNESCO at least a year before nomination. 
  • Only sites on the Tentative List can be considered for full inscription. In India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) compiles and submits these nominations.
• India’s Newly Added Sites: 
  • Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra :Home to some of the best-preserved and studied lava flows in the world, these sites form part of the massive Deccan Traps and are located within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary (already a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  • Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka: Known for its rare columnar basaltic rock formations, this island cluster dates back to the Late Cretaceous period (101 to 66 million years ago).
  • Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya: The stunning cave systems of Meghalaya, particularly the Mawmluh Cave, serve as the global reference point for the Meghalayan Age in the Holocene Epoch (last 11,000 years of the Earth's history till date), reflecting significant climate and geological transitions.
  • Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland: A rare exposure to ophiolite rocks of , these hills represent oceanic crust uplifted onto continental plates (offering deep insights into tectonic processes and mid-ocean ridge dynamics).
  • Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh: Red sand formations near Visakhapatnam showcase unique paleo-climatic and coastal geomorphological features that reveal Earth’s climatic history and dynamic evolution.
    • Erra Matti Dibbalu was declared a GeoHeritage Monument by Geological Survey of India (GSI) in 2016.
  • Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh: Featuring the Eparchaean Unconformity and the iconic Silathoranam (Natural Arch), this site holds immense geological significance, representing over 1.5 billion years of Earth’s history.
    • They are part of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve and Venkateswara National Park.
  • Varkala Cliffs, Kerala: Cliff along Kerala’s coastline expose the Warkalli Formation of the Mio-Pliocene age, along with natural springs and striking erosional landforms, offering both scientific and touristic value.

World Heritage Sites

• WHS are places of outstanding universal value, recognized for protection and preservation for future generations. They can be cultural, natural, or mixed and are safeguarded under the 1972 World Heritage Convention, adopted by UNESCO member countries. 
• The UNESCO World Heritage Committee maintains the list through the World Heritage Programme. India ratified the Convention in 1977.
• WHS in India: As of September 2025, India has 44 World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO, with the Maratha Military Landscapes of India being inscribed as the 44th site.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO: ( 2024)

1. Shantiniketan
2. Rani-ki-Vav
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 
4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya 

How many of the above properties were included in 2023? 

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) Only three 

(d) All four 

Ans: (b)

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Mains: 

Q.1 Safeguarding the Indian Art Heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (2018) 

Q.2 Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (2020)