In 2006, President Vladimir Putin agreed to relocate a major oil pipeline to avoid damage to the world’s oldest lake. 252252 natural (including 39 mixed) World Heritage sites in 96 countries, 7%Around 7% of all terrestrial protected area (1% of Earth’s land surface), 8%Around 8% of all marine protected area (0.6% of world’s oceans), 3.5 MOver 3.5 million km2 in total protected, of which 60% is marine, 2/32/3 of natural sites are crucial sources of water, 50%About half of sites prevent natural disasters such as floods or landslides, 90%Over 90% of listed natural sites create jobs and provide income from tourism and recreation. The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2003 due to farming, illegal gold mining and poaching affecting its species populations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Malaysia In an armed conflict or emergency situation (e.g. A unique magic that, over time, has achieved the fame of an extraordinary natural film set, where, especially at sunset, you will feel part of a nativity scene, full of meaning. Pressure on natural sites from planned infrastructure is also increasing. This way, UNESCO in Brazil integrates responsibilities and actions in national, state and municipal levels, to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in Natural World Heritage sites of Brazil. Bangladesh's The Sundarbans, a vast mangrove forest home to the royal Bengal tiger, could be severely altered by impacts of coal-fired power plants proposed near the site. Nepal is home to 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including seven in Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini (Birthplace of Buddha), Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park. The proposed Stiegler’s Gorge dam could cause irreversible damage to important habitats in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, home to the Critically Endangered black rhinoceros. The dimensions of the map are 78cm by 50cm (31 in. Two-thirds of natural sites are crucial sources of water, and about half help prevent natural disasters such as floods or landslides. Examples such as the Simien National Park in Ethiopia, one of the first sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and home to extremely rare animal species, can serve as an inspiration. More Contacts Site Map Become a member Donate Now! 13. A national steering Committee co-ordinates institutions for Sinharaja as a National Wilderness Area, Biosphere Reserve (1988), and WH site. Other highlights are the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Belize) where fisheries no-take zones more than doubled in an effort to build the site's resilience in the face of climate change. This includes providing technical assistance, and building capacity in the States Parties through a series of projects on the ground that enable bringing together governments, local communities and indigenous people, private sector and many other stakeholders. © UNESCO World Heritage Centre 1992-2021 There are two management plans, prepared in 1985/86 and 1992/94, which emphasise … Pure and authentic scenery with no signs of modernity, the Murgia Materana and the … Marine World Heritage: 50 Beacons of Hope in a changing ocean. Since World Heritage Listing in 1999, iSimangaliso (South Africa) generated over 12,000 jobs and 80% growth in sustainable tourism. The programme has four focus areas to fulfil its mission: monitoring sites’ conservation status, building a global managers network, improving sustainable conservation and exploring World Heritage in the High Seas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Germany by 20 in.). Khajuraho is a unique heritage site which is renowned for a group of Hindu and Jain Temples situated 175 km south-east of Jhansi. The West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord (Norway) adopted a landmark zero emissions policy and met up with Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (USA) to develop more sustainable practices among its visiting cruise ships. The conservation, sustainable exploitation and management of forest sites in Central Africa, and in particular in Cameroon, Congo, Gabon and the Central African Republic, have since 2004 benefited from the activities of the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI), which aims to strengthen the management of protected areas while improving their integration within the region's various ecological landscapes. In 2006, the World Heritage Centre launched the world’s fastest conservation funding mechanism, the Rapid Response Facility, to channel emergency funds for natural World Heritage sites. The decision to include it was made on the 43rd session of the world heritage site … a site must have values such as superlative natural phenomena; represent major states of earth’s history, demonstrate significant ecological and biological processes and contain important natural habitats. United Nations. Collectively, marine World Heritage ecosystems encompass an … Such support has led to inscription of several important natural sites in the Africa region, including the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Namib Sand Sea in Namibia and Sangha Trinational, a transboundary site in Cameroon, Central African Republic and Congo. https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/natural-world-heritage Other ecosystems, such as wetlands, low-lying deltas, permafrost and fire sensitive ecosystems are also affected. It is the first wholly natural UNESCO world heritage site in England. https://www.momondo.com/discover/unesco-world-heritage-list Climate change is however the fastest growing threat to natural World Heritage, with the number of sites highly threatened by climate change almost doubling in the last decade. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-unesco-world-heritage-sites See Decision 30.COM 8D.1, Category of site These sites are under the highest … Since then, more than 25 sites have been supported contributing to the protection of over 300,000 km2. Engaging local communities and the private sector are key to secure broader and longer-term support in the management and sustainable development of a property. Cultural site Natural site Mixed site. Natural heritage refers to natural features, geological and physiographical formations and delineated areas that constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants and natural sites of value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty. Yet they are under increasing pressure from climate change, invasive species and the negative impacts of tourism. 100 hectares which fill the term “industrial culture” with life like no other place. A first global scientific assessment of the impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage coral reefs revealed that nearly half (13) of the 29 World Heritage Listed reef properties were exposed to levels of heat stress that cause coral bleaching, on average, more than twice per decade during the 1985 - 2013 period, and nearly three quarters (21) have been exposed to severe and/or repeated heat stress since 2014. The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1996 due to the impact of a new road across it, excessive cattle grazing, agricultural encroachment and a drop in Simien fox (Walia ibex) and other large mammal populations. Extension of the "Glacier Bay/Wrangell/St Elias/Kluane" property. Last but not least, in view of filling existing biodiversity gaps in the World Heritage List, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre provides technical support to States Parties in the preparation of nomination dossiers. Since then, more than 25 sites have been supported contributing to the protection of over 300,000 km2 . The report demonstrates that UNESCO marine World Heritage sites act as custodians of the largest blue carbon ecosystems in the world, making them more valuable than ever. Save These natural rock formations have been the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. The Westland and Mount Cook National Park and the Fiordland National Park, which were previously inscribed on the World Heritage List, are part of the "Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand". In 2000, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre initiated the programme Biodiversity Conservation in Regions of Armed Conflict: Protecting World Heritage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so as to preserve the five World Heritage Sites’ integrity in a protracted conflict situation. Substantial funding is also provided to support emergency activities for Manovo - Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic), a site on the List of World Heritage in Danger that has been severely impacted by poaching and civil conflicts. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. The "Burgess Shale" property, which was previously inscribed on the World Heritage List, is part of the "Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks". Natural sites represent about 23% of this list, including 39 mixed (both cultural and natural) sites and 213 natural sites. The WH area is managed directly by the Divisional Forest Officer from the Forest Dept. Particular attention is given to the preservation of natural World Heritage sites in Africa. Sangha Trinational (Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Congo), Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek, A first global scientific assessment of the impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage coral reefs, Biodiversity Conservation in Regions of Armed Conflict: Protecting World Heritage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek, inscription of the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Mexico) on the List of World Heritage in Danger, Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI), support emergency activities for Manovo - Gounda St. Floris National Park, elephant and giraffe monitoring in Garamba National Park, mitigating conflict and protecting rightful access to natural resources in the Okapi Reserve, urgent conservation issues in the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal), Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation (COMPACT), brokered agreements for World Heritage sites as “no-go” areas for mining and oil extraction, The Future of the World Heritage Convention for Marine Conservation. A third of animals are vanishing as roads spread through forests. Discover the 252* natural and mixed sites on the World Heritage List The World Heritage List comprises 1121 properties of Outstanding Universal Value. Natural World Heritage sites contain some of the Earth's most valuable natural assets recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). Almost half of the 46 natural World Heritage sites where glaciers are currently found are also highly threatened by rising temperatures and could see their glaciers disappear by 2100. The heritage sites have been nominated based on their cultural and natural value. There are 252 natural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, including 213 natural sites and 39 mixed (both cultural and natural) sites, representing over 95% and 20% of the List in terms of surface and number of sites, respectively. WebGL must be enable, Post-Conflict and Post-Disaster Responses, Belize adopted a permanent oil moratorium to protect the future of its reef and the 200,000 citizens, iSimangaliso (South Africa) generated over 12,000 jobs and 80% growth in sustainable tourism, President Vladimir Putin agreed to relocate a major oil pipeline, In 2013, SOCO and TOTAL refrained from prospecting or exploiting oil and gas. In 1982, UNESCO’s General Conference established 18 April as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, in many countries also celebrated as World Heritage Day. A large format full-colour map is available in English, French and Spanish. Located in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a famous UNESCO World Heritage site in India. Natural sites account for around 8% of the total surface covered by all 245,000+ terrestrial and marine protected areas worldwide covering 1% of Earth’s land surface and 0.6% of world’s oceans. © UNESCO World Heritage Centre 1992-2021 A national steering Committee co-ordinates institutions for Sinharaja as a National Wilderness Area, Biosphere Reserve (1988), and WH site. The last added World Heritage site in India was The Walled city of Jaipur. Launched in 2005, the mission of the World Heritage Marine Programme is to establish effective conservation of existing and potential marine areas of Outstanding Universal Value to make sure they will be maintained and thrive for generations to come. The French Austral Lands and Seas (France) – one of the ocean’s last wildernesses, home to over 50 million birds and among the largest marine protected areas on Earth – was added to the List in 2019. Extension of "Gough Island Wildlife Reserve". Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast. The mission of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre is the pursuit of long-term conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development through the fullest and broadest application of the World Heritage Convention by all relevant stakeholders, from site level individuals to global organizations. 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Natural sites provide crucial habitats to many iconic species and harbour unique natural beauty, stunning landscapes, rare ecological processes, and exceptional biodiversity. UNESCO World Heritage sites are places of outstanding universal value, recognized by the international community as needing to be safeguarded for future generations. Further support is earmarked for elephant and giraffe monitoring in Garamba National Park and mitigating conflict and protecting rightful access to natural resources in the Okapi Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo. United Nations. World Heritage Sites (Cultural) 1. the Bamiyan Valley: Bamiyan Cliff including niches of the 38 meter Buddha, seated Buddhas, 55 meter Buddha and surrounding caves Extension of the "Australian East Coast Temperate and Subtropical Rainforest Park". Kaziranga, located in the Northeastern state of Assam in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River's south bank, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. name changed 2007 from 'Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia)'. Kathmandu Durbar Square Centered in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square has Hanuman Dhoka, … provides an outstanding example of the formation of the High Alps Publications World Heritage Review Series Resource Manuals World Heritage wall map More publications ... Funding World Heritage Fund International Assistance. This property was the first transboundary tripartite nature site to receive this international recognition. They are well known for their Nagara … More Contacts Site Map Become a member Donate Now! At the time the property was extended, natural criterion (iv) was also found applicable. Thanks to international support and joint action on the ground, an alternative road to alleviate the disturbance of traffic on the main road that crosses the property has been considered, cattle overgrazing and visitor impact were reduced, and the site’s endemic animal populations have stabilized. "World Heritage Sites are selected by UNESCO to be of outstanding universal value, meeting at least 1 out of 10 selection criteria of cultural and natural significance." In this regard, the Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation (COMPACT) initiative was launched in 2000 and activities have been implemented in iconic sites such as the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and the Maloti-Drakensberg Park (Lesotho/South Africa). Today the World Heritage List contains more than 850 sites. As a result, the Comoé National Park came off the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017. Thanks to international support and joint action on the ground, species populations raised, including chimpanzees and elephants that were thought to have disappeared from the park. To date the World Heritage List already includes many of the most important and significant natural sites of the African continent, which is exceptionally rich in biodiversity. In Brazil, there are several Natural World Heritage sites. The day is promoted by ICOMOS globally, and the theme for 2021 is “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”.. Millions of people are directly dependent on the countless products and services that these sites can provide as over 90% of listed natural sites create jobs and provide income from tourism and recreation. Examples such as the Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire, one of the largest protected areas in West Africa, can serve as an inspiration. The World Heritage property is comprised of three wildlife sanctuaries which form the core breeding area of a number of species of The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has had a very positive experience in developing partnerships with the private sector over the past few years, and has brokered agreements for World Heritage sites as “no-go” areas for mining and oil extraction. Publications World Heritage Review Series Resource Manuals World Heritage wall map More publications ... Funding World Heritage Fund International Assistance. There are two management plans, prepared in 1985/86 and 1992/94, which emphasise conservation, scientific research, buffer zone management, benefit-sharing, and community participation. https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/unesco-world-heritage-sites-balkans To pursue long-term conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development through the fullest and broadest application of the World Heritage Convention by all relevant stakeholders, from site level individuals to global organizations. forest fires, sudden increase in poaching, armed conflicts, oil spill, etc. They include many iconic places such as the Serengeti National Park, Galápagos Islands, Yellowstone National Park and the Great Barrier Reef, and are often a last refuge for species threatened with extinction, such as the mountain gorilla, giant panda and orangutan. International recognition of around 3,500,000 km2 (more than the size of India) in over 250 sites across more than 95 countries, representing over 95% and 20% of the World Heritage List in terms of surface and numbers, respectively, Natural World Heritage sites account for around 8% of the total surface covered by all 245,000+ terrestrial and marine protected areas worldwide. However, Africa remains the region with the highest percentage of sites whose conservation outlook is assessed as critical, and is the region with the highest number of natural sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger (12 out of 17). The country is the signatory of the 1972 Convention of World Heritage Sites since 1977. The WH area is managed directly by the Divisional Forest Officer from the Forest Dept. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage List includes 50 marine sites across 37 countries. It was first established as a reserved forest in 1908 … The ‘Civita’ district, which is the oldest inhabited group of buildings, dominates on the ‘Sassi di Matera’, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Web Browser not supported for ESRI ArcGIS API version 4.10. Coral reefs and glaciers are among the most affected ecosystems. Preserving Heritage in armed conflicts and emergency situations. Cultural site Natural site Mixed site, Site inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger With the inscription on the World Heritage List States Parties place their cultural and #: As for 19 Natural and Mixed Properties inscribed for geological values before 1994, criteria numbering of this property has changed. In spite of its rich heritage resources, the Africa region remains poorly represented on the World Heritage List as less than 10% of all World Heritage properties are located in this region. Finally, lack of funding is threating the effectiveness of the protection and management of natural World Heritage is becoming less effective.