Current Context: India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO announced that seven new sites have been added to India’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, taking the total to 69 sites (49 cultural, 3 mixed, 17 natural).

ABOUT THE UNESCO TENTATIVE LIST

• Purpose: A prerequisite for nomination to the final UNESCO World Heritage List
• Significance: Indicates international recognition of a site’s Outstanding Universal Value

7 NEW NATURAL HERITAGE SITES ADDED

1. Deccan Traps (Maharashtra): Ancient volcanic formations of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar.
2. St Mary’s Island Cluster (Karnataka): Columnar basaltic lava formations near Udupi.
3. Meghalayan Age Caves (Meghalaya): Geological network from the Meghalayan age in East Khasi Hills.
4. Naga Hill Ophiolite (Nagaland): Rare oceanic crust rocks in Kiphire.
5. Erra Matti Dibbalu (Andhra Pradesh): Red sand dunes near Visakhapatnam.
6. Tirumala Hills (Andhra Pradesh): Biodiversity-rich hills of Tirupati.
7. Varkala Cliff (Kerala): Coastal laterite cliff with fossil-rich sediments.