UNESCO declares Mumbai’s Victorian World Heritage Site

UNESCO declares Mumbai’s Victorian  World Heritage Site

Mumbai’s Victorian and Art Deco building in the Fort precinct and Marine Drive has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site 2018. 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.

On 18 April 1982 on the occasion of a symposium organized by International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in Tunisia, the holding of the “International Day for Monuments and Sites” to be celebrated simultaneously throughout the world was suggested. This project was approved by the Executive Committee who provided practical suggestions to the National Committees on how to organize this day. The various methods implemented to achieve its mission are:-               

1. Visits to monuments and sites, and restoration works, possibly with free admission
2. Articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as television and radio broadcasts
3. Hanging banners in town squares or principal traffic arteries calling attention to the day and the preservation of cultural heritage
4. Inviting local and foreign experts and personalities for conferences and interviews
5. Organizing discussions in cultural-centers, city halls, and other public spaces
6. Conducting Exhibitions. UNESCO declares Mumbai’s Victorian World Heritage Site
7. Publication of books, post-cards, stamps, posters
8. Awarding prizes to organizations or persons who have made an outstanding contribution for the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage or produced an excellent publication on the subject.
9. Inaugurate a recently restored monument
10. Special awareness raising activities among school children and youth

 In India, there are altogether 36 World Heritage Sites. They are:-

 Cultural (28)

1. The Taj Mahal (1983)
2. Agra Fort (1983)
3. Ajanta Caves (1983)
4. Ellora Caves (1983)
5. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
6. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
7. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
8. Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
9. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
10. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
11. Elephanta Caves (1987)
12. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
13. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
14. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
15. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
16. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
17. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
18. Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)
19. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
20. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
21. Red Fort Complex (2007)
22. Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)
23. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
24. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
25. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
26. UNESCO declares Mumbai’s Victorian World Heritage SiteNalanda University at Nalanda (2016) 
27. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (2016)
28. Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)

Natural (7)

29. Kaziranga National Park (1985)
30. Keoladeo National Park (1985)
31. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
32. Sundarbans National Park (1987)
33. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)
34. Western Ghats (2012)
35. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)

Mixed (1)

36. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)