To be included on the World Heritage List, properties must
- have an outstanding universal value;and
– meet and justify at least one of ten selection criteria.
OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE
The term Outstanding Universal value is the key to the meaning of World Heritage. It defines the importance of World Heritage properties, transcending national boundaries. The term comprehensively lists heritage sites that are extraordinary so that no matter which country they are found in, and who experiences them, they evoke a sense of wonder and admiration.
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First, the State Party must make an “inventory” of potential properties. This is a tentative list comprising of properties which may be nominated in the next 5-10 years, which can be updated anytime. This is important since the World Heritage Committee considers a nomination for inscription on the World Heritage List only if the property has already been included on the State Party’s Tentative List.
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Once a heritage site is picked from the tentative list, a detailed documentation dossier supporting the propertys nomination is prepared, compiled, and sent to UNESCOs World Heritage Centre for review.
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The World Heritage Commitee then sends the nomination for an assessment by impartial, non-governmental advisory bodies and relevant scientific and technical experts. These include the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
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At the annual convention, based on the advisory bodies recommendations, the committee has the final say on whether the nominated property is to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The assessment process is rigorous and demanding, and not every nominated property makes it to the list. Learn more about the selection process here.
India currently has 32 inscribed World Heritage properties the latest additions being, Rani Ki Wav and The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area. It also has 46 properties on the tentative list.
How many World Heritage Sites have you been to as a tourist or as part of the GoUNESCO Challenge? What was your experience? What is the one memory that will remain you when you think of a particular site?
Doodle, sketch, photograph your experiences and share it with us on GoUNESCO.
Disclaimer- This blog only describes the world heritage nomination process. Certain technical terms have been made with reference to the UNESCO World Heritage Center. The author is an independent heritage professional. This is not an official post by the WHC.