INTRODUCTION TO THE PARK
About UNESCO World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a location listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of special cultural or physical significance. Examples include forests, mountains, lakes, islands, deserts, buildings, complexes and cities.
The list of sites is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which is composed of 21 UNESCO member states, elected by the General Assembly.
Click to visit UNESCO WHS website, external link opens in a new window
The programme catalogues, names, and conserves sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity. It was founded with the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 16 November 1972. Since then, 191 states have ratified the convention, making it one of the most adhered to international instruments.
As of 2014, 1,007 sites are listed: 779 cultural; 197 natural and 31 mixed properties. Italy, with 50, has the most sites, followed by China (47), Spain (44), France (39), Germany (39), Mexico (32) and India (32).
In India, there are 7 natural properties inscribed as UNESCO WHS (as of 2014), with the latest inscription of the Great Himalayan National Park.
2014: GHNP is awarded World Heritage Natural Site status in the proceedings of the 38th World Heritage Committee meeting at Doha, Qatar; Two Wildlife Sanctuaries – Sainj and Tirthan, of the property be retained as wildlife sanctuaries and not to be merged with the national park.
While each World Heritage Site remains part of the legal territory of the state in which it is located, UNESCO considers it to be in the interests of the international community to preserve each site.
More About GHNP on UNESCO’s Website
Please click the link mentioned below, to see the detailed documentation from UNESCO on Great Himalayan National Park’s candidature as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
[External Link] UNESCO World Heritage Site Listing – GHNP