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World Heritage Day

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About UNESCO World Heritage Day

Every year World Heritage Day is celebrated on April 18 to honour the preservation of human heritage and the efforts of organisations working to do so. We all know that historic structures and monuments are a valuable resource for us and the rest of the world. As a result, World Heritage Day is a worldwide effort by communities to do what is necessary. World Heritage Day encourages us to protect and conserve our heritage culture, which has historical significance. They have exceptional universal value.


If you come across any descriptive question in the English language exam, such as writing a short speech on World Heritage Day or an essay on ‘18th April World Heritage Day’, then you can refer to this article given below to gain an understanding of the topic.


History of UNESCO World Heritage Day

ICOMOS proposed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1982 that April 18 be recognised as International Monuments and Sites Day (the official World Heritage Day date). The idea was approved by UNESCO at its 22nd General Conference the following year, 1983.


According to ICOMOS, the “essential aspect is to mark this day so that it becomes not only a day to celebrate your National Heritage but also a day of International Solidarity in favour of strengthening and safeguarding Heritage worldwide.”


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World Heritage Day Theme

  • 2021 Theme

'Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures' is the theme for World Heritage Day 2021. Every year, the International Council on Monuments and Sites makes a decision. ICOMOS encourages people of all religious backgrounds to put their differences aside and come forward to convey the message of unity.


  • 2020 Theme

"Shared Culture," "Shared Heritage," and "Shared Responsibility" were the themes for World Heritage Day 2020. The concept is particularly relevant during a time of global crisis when the entire world is combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation has decided to celebrate World Heritage Day via the internet due to the COVID-19 epidemic. With the present global health issue, the subject emphasises global unity. It also recognises that history should be treasured by many and diverse individuals and communities, regardless of whether it is connected to landscapes, places, or other factors.


  • 2019 Theme

“Rural Landscapes” was the subject of World Heritage Day 2019. This year, National and International Scientific Committees can use the International Day for Monuments and Sites to raise awareness about the importance of rural landscapes. These challenges come with their conservation, the benefits these efforts provide, and how rural landscapes are intrinsically linked to sustainable development.


World Heritage Day Meaning and Significance

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the cultural heritage that we see all around us. It also aims to promote historical monuments and locations in order to preserve a community's cultural integrity. The Globe Property Convention (1972) declared that "Deterioration or disappearance of any item of the cultural or natural heritage constitutes a harmful impoverishment of the heritage of all the nations of the world."  The UNESCO World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with ICOMOS, promotes inclusive and diverse points of view in heritage identification, conservation, and transmission to future generations, the organisation wrote on its website.


List of Famous World Heritage Sites

According to the 2019 report, the world has 1,092 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 209 natural monuments and 845 cultural and historical sites, all of which are recognised as internationally significant and deserving of particular preservation. The following is a list of some of the most well-known sites among all.


  1. Machu Picchu, Peru

  2. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

  3. Bagan, Myanmar

  4. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

  5. Great Wall of China

  6. Terracotta Army, China

  7. Roman Colosseum, Italy

  8. Acropolis of Athens, Greece

  9. Stonehenge, England

  10. Borobudur, Indonesia

  11. Mesa Verde, USA

  12. Petra, Jordan

  13. Taj Mahal, India

  14. Lascaux and Lascaux II, France

  15. Chichen Itza, Mexico

  16. Cape Floral Region, South Africa

  17. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

  18. Yellowstone National Park, USA


UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as having exceptional cultural or physical value. World Heritage Day allows us to celebrate and safeguard our heritage culture, which has historical significance and value.


The cultural and natural legacy of India is represented by these UNESCO Heritage Sites. The Ajanta Caves and the Agra Fort were the first two sites added to the list in 1983. 38 more heritage sites have been added to the list over the years. Ramappa Temple in Telangana and Dholavira in Gujarat are the most recent additions to the list. So, there are 32 cultural sites, seven natural sites, and one mixed heritage site among India's 40 heritage sites. 


Take a look at the following list.


  1. Dholavira, Gujarat

  2. Ramappa Temple, Telangana

  3. Taj Mahal, Agra

  4. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

  5. Hampi, Karnataka

  6. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

  7. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

  8. Bodh Gaya, Bihar

  9. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha

  10. Red Fort Complex, Delhi

  11. Buddhist monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

  12. Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu

  13. Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam

  14. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

  15. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

  16. Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi

  17. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan

  18. Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh

  19. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka

  20. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

  21. Mountain Railways of India

  22. Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University), Bihar

  23. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), Maharashtra

  24. Qutub Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi

  25. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat

  26. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh

  27. Hill Forts of Rajasthan

  28. Churches and Convents of Goa

  29. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh

  30. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

  31. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh

  32. Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat

  33. Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

  34. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Uttarakhand

  35. Western Ghats

  36. Kanchenjunga National Park, Sikkim

  37. Capitol Complex, Chandigarh

  38. The Historic City of Ahmedabad

  39. The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai

  40. The Pink City - Jaipur


How to Celebrate World Heritage Day?

  • The International Council for Monuments and Sites, or ICOMOS, has a few ideas for ways to mark World Heritage Day:

  • Visits to monuments and sites, as well as restoration activities

  • Articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as broadcasts on television and radio

  • Placing banners in town squares or major thoroughfares to draw attention to the day and the importance of cultural preservation.

  • Conferences and conversations with local and international experts and personalities

  • Organising debates in cultural centres, city halls, and other public venues

  • Events and Exhibitions (photos, paintings, etc.)

  • Books, postcards, stamps, and posters publication

  • Prizes are given to organisations or individuals that have made a significant contribution to the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage or who have published an outstanding publication on the subject.

  • Inaugurate a monument that has recently been refurbished.

  • Special initiatives to raise awareness among school children and youth

  • Promotion of "twinning" opportunities between organisations, including defining areas for collaboration, speaker exchanges, meeting and seminar planning, and collaborative publication editing.

FAQs on World Heritage Day

1. Why is World Heritage Day celebrated?

World Heritage Day inspires us to celebrate all of the world's cultures, raise awareness of major cultural monuments and sites, and advocate for the preservation of those traditions. That’s why World Heritage Day is observed on April 18 every year.

2. Why is World Heritage Day celebrated on April 18?

In 1982, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) declared April 18th to be World Heritage Day. The General Assembly of UNESCO adopted it in 1983 with the goal of raising awareness about the value of cultural assets, monuments, and their preservation.

3. What is the theme of World Heritage Day 2021?

The theme for World Heritage Day activities this year has been decided by UNESCO as "Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures." The conservation of cultural heritage necessitates a thorough assessment of the past, and its implementation demands planning for the future, the world body stated on its website.

4. What can you do to celebrate World Heritage Day?

You can share photographs, information, and movies about your country's common customs and heritage. We should use hashtags and share the message with as many friends and relatives as possible to expand its reach. Individuals can also add photographs to the ICOMOS Photobank that are related to the theme.


You can take the initiative and hold webinars on heritage-related issues, inviting your friends and family to join in the conversation. Other alternatives include podcasts and virtual tours. We can raise awareness about our shared cultural heritage and educate others who are unaware of our rich cultural history by participating in online activities like these.