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World Heritage Day 2023
World Heritage Day is celebrated on 18th of April every year to promote the significance and preservation of the entire heritage sites across the World. Every day, people celebrate their cultural heritage by acting in a manner that is consistent with who they are and where they come from. On the other hand, one day a year is set aside to celebrate the shared past and present of the human race.
This day is urged to celebrate all of the world’s cultures on World Heritage Day, draw attention to important cultural sites, and emphasize the need of upholding these customs. World Heritage Day is an important part of Indian Art and Culture which is an important subject in UPSC Syllabus. Students can also go for UPSC Mock Test to get more accuracy in their preparations.
World Heritage Day History
Every year on April 18th, World Heritage Day, also known as International Day for Monuments and Sites, is observed to raise awareness of cultural heritage and to advocate the preservation and protection of significant historical sites around the globe.
ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) introduced the proposal for World Heritage Day in 1982, and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) later endorsed it during the 22nd General Conference in 1983. To honour the day in 1982 when the ICOMOS was created, the date of April 18th was selected.
The World Heritage Day commemoration is centred on a distinct cultural heritage-related theme each year, such as sustainable tourism, cultural landscapes, or heritage in times of conflict. Events and activities planned by ICOMOS and UNESCO as well as regional communities and organizations around the world commemorate the day.
World Heritage Day Objective
The purpose of World Heritage Day is to spread awareness of the value of maintaining cultural heritage and safeguarding the world’s monuments and sites from vandalism and degradation.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established World Heritage Day in 1983 to raise public awareness of the value of cultural landmarks and the need to preserve them for future generations. The holiday also provides a chance to promote international collaboration in cultural heritage preservation and to recognize the diversity of cultures around the world.
On this day, a variety of events and activities are held throughout the world to raise awareness of the value of heritage sites, their contribution to the formation of our history and identity, and the necessity of their preservation. These occasions consist of exhibitions, escorted tours, talks, seminars, and other cultural events.
People can learn about the various natural and cultural heritage sites around the world and appreciate the importance of their preservation by participating in World Heritage Day activities. The day also serves as a reminder that heritage sites are significant not only for their cultural and historical significance, but also for their impact on tourism, local economies, and sustainable development. Consequently, it is crucial to save and conserve them for future generations.
World Heritage Day Theme 2023
“Heritage Changes” is the theme of World Heritage Day in 2023. According to ICOMOS, the topic of heritage changes presents an opportunity to address issues such as how to use a cultural heritage focus to support equitable protection of vulnerable communities through climate action and how to respond to the UN Decade of Action by learning about traditional ways of knowing and knowledge systems.
World Heritage Day Importance
World Heritage Day serves as a reminder of these places’ great cultural and historical value, emphasizing the need to protect and preserve them for future generations. It also highlights how important heritage monuments are for encouraging tourism, fostering economic growth, and fostering intercultural understanding.
By commemorating the variety of cultures and practices that make up our global history, World history Day encourages people to respect and benefit from many different cultural perspectives. It promotes international cooperation and coordination to save these places as well as the requirement of sustainable development that respects each place’s natural and cultural history.
On this day, people also seek to express their gratitude to one another for the cultural places, landmarks, and monuments that highlight the diversity of our planet and our common human past. We recognize the significance of these locations and the need to preserve them for future generations by wishing for their preservation.
World Heritage Sites of India
Below given is the complete list of all the World Heritage Sites of India. Students can go to the list below to know all about the World Heritage Sites in India:
World Heritage Site | Location | Year of Declaration |
Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh | 1983 |
Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 |
Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 |
Agra Fort | Uttar Pradesh | 1983 |
Sun Temple, Konarak | Orissa | 1984 |
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Tamil Nadu | 1984 |
Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Madhya Pradesh | 1986 |
Group of Monuments at Hampi | Karnataka | 1986 |
Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh | 1986 |
Churches and Convents of Goa | Goa | 1986 |
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal | Karnataka | 1987 |
Great Living Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu | 1987 |
Elephanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1987 |
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi | Madhya Pradesh | 1989 |
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi | Delhi | 1993 |
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi | Delhi | 1993 |
Mountain Railways of India | Tamil Nadu | 1999 |
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya | Bihar | 2002 |
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka | Madhya Pradesh | 2003 |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Maharashtra | 2004 |
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Gujarat | 2004 |
Red Fort Complex | Delhi | 2007 |
The Jantar Mantar | Rajasthan | 2010 |
Hill Forts of Rajasthan | Rajasthan | 2013 |
Rani-Ki-Van | Gujarat | 2014 |
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) | Bihar | 2016 |
Jaipur City | Rajasthan | 2020 |
Historic City of Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 2017 |
Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai | Maharashtra | 2018 |
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement | Chandigarh | 2016 |
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple | Telangana | 2021 |
Dholavira | Gujarat | 2021 |
World Heritage Day UPSC
World Heritage Day is a chance for people, groups, and governments to come together and work towards preserving cultural heritage assets for future generations by safeguarding and promoting them. The International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day, is a global holiday celebrated on April 18 each year with a variety of events, such as conferences, roundtable discussions, newspaper articles, and visits to monuments and heritage sites. Students can read all the details related to UPSC by visiting the official website of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching.