Syllabus: GS3/ History and Culture
Context
- World Heritage Day, also known as the International Monuments and Sites Day, is observed on 18 April every year.
- This year’s theme is “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 years of ICOMOS Actions.”
Background
- In 1982, The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) proposed that April 18 should be observed as the World Heritage Day.
- Later, the date was approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the 22nd General Conference in 1983.
World Heritage Sites
- World Heritage is the designation for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
- These can be cultural, natural, or a mix of both.
- They are protected under an international agreement led by UNESCO.
- The World Heritage Convention, 1972 was adopted by UNESCO’s member countries.
- The Convention sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites and their role in protecting and preserving them.
- India became part of this Convention in 1977.
| Monuments of National Importance (MNI) of India – The MNIs are officially conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which functions in accordance with The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 2010 (AMASR Act 2010). – There are 3697 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance in the country. |
Government’s Initiatives to Promote India’s Cultural Heritage
- Retrieval of Antiquities: Archaeological Survey of India is committed to the protection of cultural property.
- The government has retrieved 655 antiquities from foreign countries from the year 1976 to 2024.
- Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme: The programme was launched in 2017 and revamped as “Adopt A Heritage 2.0” in 2023.
- It allows private and public groups to help develop facilities at protected monuments using their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
- 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee: Archaeological Survey of India, hosted the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in 2024.
- Must See Portal: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has created a portal to showcase “Must-See Monuments and Archaeological Sites of India.”
- Digitization of Cultural Heritage in India: The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), set up in 2007, works to digitize and document India’s heritage and antiquities.
Concluding remarks
- World Heritage Day reminds us that protecting our heritage is a shared responsibility.
- From ancient monuments to timeless literature, India continues to preserve its cultural and natural legacy through strong national efforts and global collaboration.
- These efforts ensure that our rich heritage inspires, educates, and unites generations to come.
Source: PIB
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