Seven Indian sites have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List

News: Seven Indian natural heritage sites have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, raising India’s total from 62 to 69 properties.

Seven Indian sites have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List

• India now has 69 Tentative List sites: 49 cultural, 17 natural, and 3 mixed.
• Inclusion in the Tentative List is a prerequisite for nomination to the World Heritage List.
• This milestone reflects India’s commitment to preserving natural and cultural legacy.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) compiled and submitted the entries, receiving appreciation from India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO.
• India hosted the 46th World Heritage Committee Session in July 2024 at New Delhi, with over 2000 delegates from more than 140 countries.
• 7 New sites are – 

Sites	Location	Key Features
Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar	Western Ghats of Maharashtra (within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary-a UNESCO World Heritage Site.)	Home to some of the best-preserved and studied lava flows in the world. These sites form part of the massive Deccan Traps. This the site is identified as geo-heritage site by Geological survey of India.
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, offering a geological snapshot from around 85 million years ago. It have been declared as National Geological Monument by GSI since 1978. The site falls under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
Meghalayan Age Caves	Meghalaya	This cave systems serve as the global reference point for the Meghalayan Age in the Holocene Epoch. This reflect significant climate and geological transitions. Mawmluh cave has already been listed among the global first 100 geologically important site in the world.
Naga Hill Ophiolite	Nagaland (situated within one of the 18 mega biodiversity hotspots)	It is a rare exposure of ophiolite rocks. These hills represent oceanic crust uplifted onto continental plates—offering deep insights into tectonic processes and mid-ocean ridge dynamics. The site overlaps with Fakim Wildlife sanctuary. Geological Survey of India has declared it as a National Geological Monument.
Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills)	Andhra Pradesh(coastal tract of Visakhapatnam)	This site was first documented by William King, the deputy superintendent of the GSI, back in 1886. These visually striking red sand formations showcase unique paleo-climatic and coastal geomorphological features that reveal Earth’s climatic history and dynamic evolution.
Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills	Andhra Pradesh (within the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve and Venkateswara National Park)	This site features the Eparchaean Unconformity, refers to a rare and fascinating geological boundary that represents the interface between ancient Precambrian rocks and much younger, overlying geological formations It also includes the iconic Silathoranam (Natural Arch).
Varkala Cliffs	Kerala (faces the Arabian Sea)	The scenic cliffs along Kerala’s coastline expose the Warkalli Formation of the Mio–Pliocene age. They also feature natural springs and striking erosional landforms, offering both scientific and touristic value.