The Westland and Mount Cook National Park and the Fiordland National Park, which were previously inscribed on the World Heritage List, are part of the "Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand". One option is Google Arts & Culture, which just added many UNESCO World Heritage sites to its library of virtual tours. The decision to include it was made on the 43rd session of the world heritage site … WebGL must be enable, Post-Conflict and Post-Disaster Responses, Belize adopted a permanent oil moratorium to protect the future of its reef and the 200,000 citizens, iSimangaliso (South Africa) generated over 12,000 jobs and 80% growth in sustainable tourism, President Vladimir Putin agreed to relocate a major oil pipeline, In 2013, SOCO and TOTAL refrained from prospecting or exploiting oil and gas. In Brazil, there are several Natural World Heritage sites. by 20 in.). Save These natural rock formations have been the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. As a result, the Comoé National Park came off the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017. The West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord (Norway) adopted a landmark zero emissions policy and met up with Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (USA) to develop more sustainable practices among its visiting cruise ships. Millions of people are directly dependent on the countless products and services that these sites can provide as over 90% of listed natural sites create jobs and provide income from tourism and recreation. In an armed conflict or emergency situation (e.g. Climate change is however the fastest growing threat to natural World Heritage, with the number of sites highly threatened by climate change almost doubling in the last decade. Thanks to international support and joint action on the ground, species populations raised, including chimpanzees and elephants that were thought to have disappeared from the park. Since then, more than 25 sites have been supported contributing to the protection of over 300,000 km2. The WH area is managed directly by the Divisional Forest Officer from the Forest Dept. © UNESCO World Heritage Centre 1992-2021 Preserving Heritage in armed conflicts and emergency situations. forest fires, sudden increase in poaching, armed conflicts, oil spill, etc. They are well known for their Nagara … The ‘Civita’ district, which is the oldest inhabited group of buildings, dominates on the ‘Sassi di Matera’, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The programme has four focus areas to fulfil its mission: monitoring sites’ conservation status, building a global managers network, improving sustainable conservation and exploring World Heritage in the High Seas. Natural heritage refers to natural features, geological and physiographical formations and delineated areas that constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants and natural sites of value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty. In 2018, Belize adopted a permanent oil moratorium to protect the future of its reef and the 200,000 citizens that depend on it for their livelihoods. The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2003 due to farming, illegal gold mining and poaching affecting its species populations. Pure and authentic scenery with no signs of modernity, the Murgia Materana and the … Among one of the key tasks of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre is the monitoring of the state of conservation of sites. © UNESCO World Heritage Centre 1992-2021 United Nations. The history of a place can involve many points of view. Since World Heritage Listing in 1999, iSimangaliso (South Africa) generated over 12,000 jobs and 80% growth in sustainable tourism. Finally, lack of funding is threating the effectiveness of the protection and management of natural World Heritage is becoming less effective. Khajuraho is a unique heritage site which is renowned for a group of Hindu and Jain Temples situated 175 km south-east of Jhansi. 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Launched in 2005, the mission of the World Heritage Marine Programme is to establish effective conservation of existing and potential marine areas of Outstanding Universal Value to make sure they will be maintained and thrive for generations to come. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. The country is the signatory of the 1972 Convention of World Heritage Sites since 1977. WebGL must be enable, Post-Conflict and Post-Disaster Responses, Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte), Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves, Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks, Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek, Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I), Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park, Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve, Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems, Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island, Chaîne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena, Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice, Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan, Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection, Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park, Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs), Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas, Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI), Initiative on Heritage of Religious Interest, Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, Reducing Disasters Risks at World Heritage Properties, World Heritage and Sustainable Development, World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme, World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In 2012, the Sangha Trinational (Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Congo) was inscribed on the World Heritage List. Marine sites are also critical to mitigating climate impacts as blue carbon ecosystems. A first global scientific assessment of the impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage coral reefs revealed that nearly half (13) of the 29 World Heritage Listed reef properties were exposed to levels of heat stress that cause coral bleaching, on average, more than twice per decade during the 1985 - 2013 period, and nearly three quarters (21) have been exposed to severe and/or repeated heat stress since 2014. Recognizing the challenge in trying to provide rapid access to funds in crisis or emergency situations (e.g. This way, UNESCO in Brazil integrates responsibilities and actions in national, state and municipal levels, to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in Natural World Heritage sites of Brazil. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage List includes 50 marine sites across 37 countries. Almost half of the 46 natural World Heritage sites where glaciers are currently found are also highly threatened by rising temperatures and could see their glaciers disappear by 2100. To pursue long-term conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development through the fullest and broadest application of the World Heritage Convention by all relevant stakeholders, from site level individuals to global organizations. In this regard, the Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation (COMPACT) initiative was launched in 2000 and activities have been implemented in iconic sites such as the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and the Maloti-Drakensberg Park (Lesotho/South Africa). The conservation, sustainable exploitation and management of forest sites in Central Africa, and in particular in Cameroon, Congo, Gabon and the Central African Republic, have since 2004 benefited from the activities of the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI), which aims to strengthen the management of protected areas while improving their integration within the region's various ecological landscapes. See Decision 30.COM 8D.1, Category of site natural and cultural, site in Brazil and two cultural sites in Burkina Faso and Iraq. name changed 2007 from 'Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia)'. Extension of the "Australian East Coast Temperate and Subtropical Rainforest Park". Coral reefs and glaciers are among the most affected ecosystems. Thanks to international support and joint action on the ground, an alternative road to alleviate the disturbance of traffic on the main road that crosses the property has been considered, cattle overgrazing and visitor impact were reduced, and the site’s endemic animal populations have stabilized. Marine World Heritage: 50 Beacons of Hope in a changing ocean. This includes providing technical assistance, and building capacity in the States Parties through a series of projects on the ground that enable bringing together governments, local communities and indigenous people, private sector and many other stakeholders. A national steering Committee co-ordinates institutions for Sinharaja as a National Wilderness Area, Biosphere Reserve (1988), and WH site. Discover the 252* natural and mixed sites on the World Heritage List The World Heritage List comprises 1121 properties of Outstanding Universal Value. Kathmandu Durbar Square Centered in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square has Hanuman Dhoka, … At the time the property was extended, natural criterion (iv) was also found applicable. More Contacts Site Map Become a member Donate Now! Today the World Heritage List contains more than 850 sites. https://www.roadaffair.com/best-unesco-world-heritage-sites The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1996 due to the impact of a new road across it, excessive cattle grazing, agricultural encroachment and a drop in Simien fox (Walia ibex) and other large mammal populations. The Committee also approved the extension of the transboundary natural and cultural heritage site … Since the World Heritage Convention came into force more than 30 years ago, 185 countries have agreed to recognize outstanding cultural and natural sites on their ter-ritory as human heritage. There is a total of 38 world heritage sites out of which 30 are cultural, 7 are natural and 1 is mixed in India till now. They also have a central role in climate regulation and carbon sequestration as forests found in sites across the tropical regions store an estimated 5.7 billion tons of carbon – higher forest biomass carbon density on average than the remaining protected area network. The day is promoted by ICOMOS globally, and the theme for 2021 is “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Malaysia Last but not least, in view of filling existing biodiversity gaps in the World Heritage List, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre provides technical support to States Parties in the preparation of nomination dossiers. Web Browser not supported for ESRI ArcGIS API version 4.10. Natural World Heritage sites contain some of the Earth's most valuable natural assets recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). ), the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Fauna & Flora International launched the Rapid Response Facility in 2006. https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/natural-world-heritage The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. At the time the property was extended, natural criterion (iv) was also found applicable. Publications World Heritage Review Series Resource Manuals World Heritage wall map More publications ... Funding World Heritage Fund International Assistance. With the inscription on the World Heritage List States Parties place their cultural and In 2006, the World Heritage Centre launched the world’s fastest conservation funding mechanism, the Rapid Response Facility, to channel emergency funds for natural World Heritage sites. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-unesco-world-heritage-sites Substantial funding is also provided to support emergency activities for Manovo - Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic), a site on the List of World Heritage in Danger that has been severely impacted by poaching and civil conflicts. Particular attention is given to the preservation of natural World Heritage sites in Africa. Situated in Northern Ireland, this area of approximately 40,000 massive basalt columns along the sea coast has inspired Irish legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland. United Nations. The report demonstrates that UNESCO marine World Heritage sites act as custodians of the largest blue carbon ecosystems in the world, making them more valuable than ever. https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/best-unesco-world-heritage-sites However, Africa remains the region with the highest percentage of sites whose conservation outlook is assessed as critical, and is the region with the highest number of natural sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger (12 out of 17). The mission of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre is the pursuit of long-term conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development through the fullest and broadest application of the World Heritage Convention by all relevant stakeholders, from site level individuals to global organizations. More Contacts Site Map Become a member Donate Now! Two-thirds of natural sites are crucial sources of water, and about half help prevent natural disasters such as floods or landslides. In spite of its rich heritage resources, the Africa region remains poorly represented on the World Heritage List as less than 10% of all World Heritage properties are located in this region. To date the World Heritage List already includes many of the most important and significant natural sites of the African continent, which is exceptionally rich in biodiversity. Located in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a famous UNESCO World Heritage site in India. World Heritage Sites (Cultural) 1. Celebrating 10 years of the World Heritage Marine Programme, World Heritage in the High Seas: An Idea Whose Time Has Come, Engaging Local Communities in Stewardship of World Heritage, Climate Change Adaptation for Natural World Heritage Sites – A Practical Guide, Assessing Marine World Heritage from an Ecosystem Perspective, Adapting to change: the state of conservation of World Heritage forests in 2011, Navigating the Future of Marine World Heritage, Promoting and Preserving Congolese Heritage, World Heritage at the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress, Proceedings of the World Heritage Marine Biodiversity Workshop, Conflict mitigation in Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Securing Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park, Ecological Monitoring in Garamba National Park, DRC, Engaging local communities in the conservation of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, Engaging local communities in the conservation of the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site, Engaging Local Communities in the Stewardship of World Heritage (COMPACT), Natural World Heritage in the Congo Basin, Protection measures against the impacts of agricultural and agro industrial projects in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Earth Day 22 April 2021: Restore Our Earth, UNESCO provides crucial support to biodiversity in emergency situations, Strengthening firefighting to prevent destruction in Brazil’s Pantanal, Saving the lives of Tigers and People in the Sundarbans, The oldest evidence of human presence in the Congo Basin finally dated, Safeguarding the Endangered Mountain Gorilla during COVID-19 Crisis, World Environment Day 2020: Time for Nature, Emergency response to tragic attack in Virunga National Park, UNESCO grants emergency funds to assist Argentinean Biosphere Reserve threatened by poaching, Ethiopia hosts technical workshop for potential natural World Heritage sites, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Superintendent wins prestigious KfW-Bernhard-Grzimek-Preis, Norway strengthens its support for the protection of Natural World Heritage, Two natural sites, one in China, another in Iran, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, World Wildlife Day 2019: Life below water, for people and planet (3 March 2019), UNESCO celebrates 70 years of nature conservation with IUCN, Ramsar Workshop “The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Wetlands – Supporting the integration of nature and culture in their governance and management” at the International Academy for Nature Conservation of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Protecting Big Cats: World Wildlife Day 2018, UNESCO and the Principality of Monaco sign strategic partnership in favour of Marine World Heritage, Reactive Monitoring Mission to "Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve", World Heritage Committee inscribes three natural sites and one extension on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, The World Heritage site of Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire no longer in danger, CEO of iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority receives 2017 KfW-Bernhard-Grzimek-Preis, Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the celebration of World Wildlife Day 2017 under the theme "Listen to the young voices", 4th World Heritage Marine Managers Conference, Technical meeting: Transboundary cooperation for protecting the Cubango-Okavango River Basin and improving the integrity of the Okavango Delta World Heritage property, Building Leadership for Climate Adaptation of Coral Reefs, Expert Meeting “Protecting sites of potential Outstanding Universal Value in the High Seas: the practical modalities”, Initiative on Heritage of Religious Interest, Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, Reducing Disasters Risks at World Heritage Properties, World Heritage and Sustainable Development, World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme, World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). A national steering Committee co-ordinates institutions for Sinharaja as a National Wilderness Area, Biosphere Reserve (1988), and WH site. International recognition of around 3,500,000 km2 (more than the size of India) in over 250 sites across more than 95 countries, representing over 95% and 20% of the World Heritage List in terms of surface and numbers, respectively, Natural World Heritage sites account for around 8% of the total surface covered by all 245,000+ terrestrial and marine protected areas worldwide. Bangladesh's The Sundarbans, a vast mangrove forest home to the royal Bengal tiger, could be severely altered by impacts of coal-fired power plants proposed near the site. The proposed Stiegler’s Gorge dam could cause irreversible damage to important habitats in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, home to the Critically Endangered black rhinoceros. Extension of the "Glacier Bay/Wrangell/St Elias/Kluane" property. Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site: 100 hectares, distributed over the central shaft facilities of Zollverein XII, the Shafts 1/2/8 and the coking plant premises. Kaziranga, located in the Northeastern state of Assam in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River's south bank, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. A third of animals are vanishing as roads spread through forests. "World Heritage Sites are selected by UNESCO to be of outstanding universal value, meeting at least 1 out of 10 selection criteria of cultural and natural significance." Such support has led to inscription of several important natural sites in the Africa region, including the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Namib Sand Sea in Namibia and Sangha Trinational, a transboundary site in Cameroon, Central African Republic and Congo. It is the first wholly natural UNESCO world heritage site in England. There are two management plans, prepared in 1985/86 and 1992/94, which emphasise conservation, scientific research, buffer zone management, benefit-sharing, and community participation. Marine World Heritage sites often get a lot of public attention and they are at the leading edge of the marine conservation programmes in many countries. Roads, dams, tourism facilities, mining and oil and gas projects are among the top potential threats. provides an outstanding example of the formation of the High Alps Examples such as the Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire, one of the largest protected areas in West Africa, can serve as an inspiration. Examples such as the Simien National Park in Ethiopia, one of the first sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and home to extremely rare animal species, can serve as an inspiration. https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/unesco-world-heritage-sites-balkans The last added World Heritage site in India was The Walled city of Jaipur. Yet they are under increasing pressure from climate change, invasive species and the negative impacts of tourism. https://www.momondo.com/discover/unesco-world-heritage-list Nepal is home to 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including seven in Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini (Birthplace of Buddha), Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park. This property was the first transboundary tripartite nature site to receive this international recognition. natural hazards, oil spill, etc…), heritage is particularly at risk. the Bamiyan Valley: Bamiyan Cliff including niches of the 38 meter Buddha, seated Buddhas, 55 meter Buddha and surrounding caves It is projected that 25 million km of new paved roads will be developed globally by 2050 (enough to encircle the planet more than 600 times), and about 90 per cent will be in tropical forests. The World Heritage property is comprised of three wildlife sanctuaries which form the core breeding area of a number of species of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Germany There are 252 natural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, including 213 natural sites and 39 mixed (both cultural and natural) sites, representing over 95% and 20% of the List in terms of surface and number of sites, respectively. A large format full-colour map is available in English, French and Spanish. In 2013, SOCO and TOTAL refrained from prospecting or exploiting oil and gas in Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo) and further brokered agreements for World Heritage sites as “no-go” areas for mining and oil extraction. Since then, more than 25 sites have been supported contributing to the protection of over 300,000 km2 . They include many iconic places such as the Serengeti National Park, Galápagos Islands, Yellowstone National Park and the Great Barrier Reef, and are often a last refuge for species threatened with extinction, such as the mountain gorilla, giant panda and orangutan. Other projects include addressing urgent conservation issues in the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal) and Lake Malawi National Park (Malawi). The dimensions of the map are 78cm by 50cm (31 in. Publications World Heritage Review Series Resource Manuals World Heritage wall map More publications ... Funding World Heritage Fund International Assistance. Nepal ratified the convention … There has been considerable progress in expanding the coverage of both terrestrial and marine World Heritage sites, with terrestrial coverage increasing by 1.3 times, and marine coverage increasing faster by 3.5 times since 2000. These include several iconic landscapes such as Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina (containing some of the largest glaciers on Earth), Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (which contains three quarters of New Zealand’s glaciers), Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park (home to Africa’s highest peak), and the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch (home to the largest Alpine glacier). UNESCO World Heritage sites are places of outstanding universal value, recognized by the international community as needing to be safeguarded for future generations. The WH area is managed directly by the Divisional Forest Officer from the Forest Dept. In 2000, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre initiated the programme Biodiversity Conservation in Regions of Armed Conflict: Protecting World Heritage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so as to preserve the five World Heritage Sites’ integrity in a protracted conflict situation. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has had a very positive experience in developing partnerships with the private sector over the past few years, and has brokered agreements for World Heritage sites as “no-go” areas for mining and oil extraction. In 1982, UNESCO’s General Conference established 18 April as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, in many countries also celebrated as World Heritage Day. #: As for 19 Natural and Mixed Properties inscribed for geological values before 1994, criteria numbering of this property has changed. Natural sites represent about 23% of this list, including 39 mixed (both cultural and natural) sites and 213 natural sites. Engaging local communities and the private sector are key to secure broader and longer-term support in the management and sustainable development of a property. A unique magic that, over time, has achieved the fame of an extraordinary natural film set, where, especially at sunset, you will feel part of a nativity scene, full of meaning. Natural sites account for around 8% of the total surface covered by all 245,000+ terrestrial and marine protected areas worldwide covering 1% of Earth’s land surface and 0.6% of world’s oceans. Sangha Trinational (Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Congo), Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek, A first global scientific assessment of the impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage coral reefs, Biodiversity Conservation in Regions of Armed Conflict: Protecting World Heritage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek, inscription of the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Mexico) on the List of World Heritage in Danger, Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI), support emergency activities for Manovo - Gounda St. Floris National Park, elephant and giraffe monitoring in Garamba National Park, mitigating conflict and protecting rightful access to natural resources in the Okapi Reserve, urgent conservation issues in the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal), Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation (COMPACT), brokered agreements for World Heritage sites as “no-go” areas for mining and oil extraction, The Future of the World Heritage Convention for Marine Conservation.