New heritage sites

The Charaideo Maidam in Assam has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list under the cultural property category. This decision was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in Delhi.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites are places of significant cultural or natural importance, recognized for their outstanding universal value to humanity. The selection criteria for these sites are detailed and stringent, ensuring that only the most remarkable and well-preserved locations are included on the list.

Criteria for Selection

There are ten criteria, and a site must meet at least one of them to be considered for inclusion on the World Heritage List. These criteria are divided into cultural and natural categories:

Cultural Criteria

1. Criterion (i): Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.
2. Criterion (ii): 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.
3. Criterion (iii): Bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or has disappeared.
4. Criterion (iv): Be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history.
5. Criterion (v): 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.
6. Criterion (vi): Be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance (this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria).

Natural Criteria

1. Criterion (vii): Contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
2. Criterion (viii): Be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earth’s history, including the record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features.
3. Criterion (ix): Be outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.
4. Criterion (x): 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.

Process of Selection

1. Nomination: A country (State Party) prepares a nomination file for the site, including a detailed description, legal protection measures, and a management plan. This file is submitted to the World Heritage Centre.
2. Evaluation: Advisory bodies, such as the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), evaluate the site based on the nomination file and criteria.
3. Decision: The World Heritage Committee, composed of representatives from 21 of the States Parties, reviews the evaluations and makes the final decision on whether to inscribe the site on the World Heritage List during its annual meeting.

Protection and Management

Once a site is inscribed, it is the responsibility of the State Party to ensure its protection and preservation. This involves implementing legal measures, providing sufficient resources for management and conservation, and reporting periodically to UNESCO on the state of the site.

The inclusion of a site on the World Heritage List highlights its significance and helps to ensure its conservation for future generations, often increasing awareness and attracting international support and tourism.

International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS):

ICOMOS is a global organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of cultural heritage sites worldwide. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding our shared history and cultural identity.

Key Roles and Functions:

• Advocacy: Promotes the importance of cultural heritage preservation through research, education, and public awareness.
• Standards and Guidelines: Develops international standards and guidelines for the conservation and restoration of monuments and sites.
• World Heritage: Provides expert advice to UNESCO on the nomination and monitoring of World Heritage Sites.
• Networking: Fosters collaboration among professionals, governments, and communities involved in heritage conservation.

How ICOMOS Works:

• Membership: Comprised of professionals, experts, and organizations from around the world.
• Committees and Experts: Has various committees and expert groups focused on specific areas of heritage conservation.
• Partnerships: Collaborates with UNESCO, government agencies, and other organizations to achieve its goals.