15.11.1 Criteria

I. “to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius”;

II. “to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design?”.

III. “to bear a unique or atleast exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared?;

IV. “to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significat stage(s) in human history”;

V. “to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlemnet, land-use, or sea-use, which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change”;

VI. ”to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria).

VII. ”to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance”;

VIII. ”to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processess in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or psysio-graphic features”;

IX. “to be outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystem and communities of plants and animals”;

X. ”to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for insists conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

♤ The UNESCO funds numerous efforts to preserve and restore World Heritage Sites in developing nations. It maintains also a List of World Heritage Sites in developing nations. It maintains also a List of World Heritage in danger facing threat of pollution and other natural hazards. Sites subject to unusual levels of pollution, natural hazards, or other problems may be placed for restoration. Such designated sites facilitate promotion of tourism.

International Year of Biodiversity

♤ The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives.

Do you know?

There is no parrot in India. They are parakeets.