World Heritage Day 2018 – All You Need to Know
World Heritage Day is a day observed every year on 18th April to celebrate heritage of the world having ‘Outstanding Universal Value’. The main object is to raise awareness for preserving and caring our ancient valuable monuments and architectures all over the world. The other name of World Heritage Day is International Day for Monuments and Sites.
World Heritage is the shared wealth of humankind. Protecting and preserving this valuable asset demands the collective efforts of the international community. This special day offers an opportunity to raise the public’s awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve it, as well as draw attention to its vulnerability.
Theme of World Heritage Day 2018
The theme for the ICOMOS International Day for Monuments and Sites (World Heritage Day) 2018 is: “Heritage for Generations”.
The objective of World Heritage Day
The aim of the International Day for Monuments and Sites is to encourage local communities and individuals throughout the world to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities and communities, and to promote awareness of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it.
Top 10 countries with most number of World Heritage Sites
| Country | Number of World Heritage Sites |
| Italy | 53 |
| China | 52 |
| Spain | 46 |
| France | 43 |
| Germany | 42 |
| India | 36 |
| Mexico | 34 |
| UK | 31 |
| Russia | 28 |
| USA | 23 |
World Heritage Sites in India
| 1. | Kaziranga in Assam | 19. | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) in Maharashtra |
| 2. | Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam | 20. | Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha |
| 3. | Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal | 21. | Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan |
| 4. | Western Ghats. These include Agasthyamalai Sub-Cluster, Periyar Sub-Cluster, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster, Talakaveri Sub-Cluster, Kudremukh Sub-Cluster, Sahyadri Sub-Cluster | 22. | Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| 5. | Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh | 23. | Great Living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu. They include Brihadeeswarar temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Airavateshwarar Temple in Darasuram, Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. |
| 6. | Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya in Bihar | 24. | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu |
| 7. | Churches and Convents of Goa | 25. | Agra Fort in Uttar Pradesh |
| 8. | Humayun’s Tomb in Delh | 26. | Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh |
| 9. | Red Fort Complex in Delhi | 27. | Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh |
| 10. | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Gujarat | 28. | Rani ki vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) in Patan, Gujarat |
| 11. | Group of Monuments at Hampi in Karnataka | 29. | Mountain Railways of India. They include Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in West Bengal, Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, Kalka-Shimla Railway in Himachal Pradesh. |
| 12. | Group of Monuments at Pattadakal in Karnataka | 30. | Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand |
| 13. | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh | 31. | Hill Forts of Rajasthan. They include Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambhore, Amber Sub-Cluster, Gagron |
| 14. | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh | 32. | Nalanda in Bihar |
| 15. | Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh | 33. | Khangchendzonga National Park In Sikkim |
| 16. | Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra | 34. | The Architectural Work Of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh |
| 17. | Ellora Caves in Maharashtra | 35. | Historic City of Ahmadabad in Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| 18. | Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra | 36. | Qutb Minar in Delhi |
The History of World Heritage Day
So the first (and possibly most confusing?) part of World Heritage Day is that that actually isn’t it’s formal name. What is popularly known as World Heritage Day is actually called The International Day for Monument and Sites and was established in 1982 by the International Council for Monuments and Sites, or ICOMOS. This organization was established on the principles set forth in the Venice Charter, otherwise known as the 1964 International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites.
The organization was founded after a need was identified to protect these valued locations, and it saw the coming together of experts from hundreds of related fields. These include architects, engineers, geographers, civil engineers, and artists and archaeologists. Each year they work to help ensure that some of the world’s most beautiful sites and important cultural monuments remain preserved for future generations.
Since it’s inception it has grown to include almost 10,000 members in over 150 countries all over the world. Of these 10,000 members over 400 are members from institutions, national committees, and international scientific committees, all working together to save important sites and identify new ones that need to be added to the watch list.
2016 saw the addition of Gorham’s Cave Complex in the UK, the Khangchendzonga National Park in India, and the Persian Qanat in the Islam Republic of Iran. It’s through the tireless efforts of its members and leadership that these places will be preserved for future generations.
How to Celebrate World Heritage Day
Perhaps the most important way to celebrate World Heritage Day is to search out those locations near you that count as World Heritage Sites, and perhaps pay them a visit. Before doing so research the site and find out what steps are needed to protect it, and respect them during your visit. If you’re feeling more proactive, then perhaps consider submitting a site that you feel is worthy of being protected for it’s cultural importance to ICOMOS. Don’t let an important site disappear from the world, do your part on World Heritage Day to raise awareness and preserve it for future generations.
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