World Heritage Week (WHW) is annually observed across India from November 19 to 25 to promote the heritage and the culture of monuments and important sites for their conservation.
- WHW recognises and celebrates heritage sites that have been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- The theme of WHW 2024 is “Discover and Experience Diversity”.
Background:
i.In India, WHW is a part of the promotion activities by the Government of India (GoI) to promote India’s unique heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
ii.WHW events are annually organised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture(MoC), various Museums, and other heritage-conscious organisations across India.
Note: UNESCO’s World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites is annually observed across the globe on April 18. The theme of World Heritage Day 2024 is “Disasters & Conflicts Through the Lens of the Venice Charter”.
2024 Events:
ii.WHW began with a special event held at the Sitaram temple in Soronji, Uttar Pradesh(UP).
- This is for the first time that the temple has been chosen as the launching venue of WHW.
ii.The week long celebration was ended with a special program and an additional Ramayana-themed exhibition at Atranjikhera, UP
UNESCO Heritage Sites in India:
i.As of 2024, India has 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 35 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed heritage site
ii.The first sites to be listed were the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves (Maharashtra), Agra Fort, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, UP in 1983.
iii.The most recent site to be listed was Moidams (Assam) in 2024.
Monuments protected by ASI:
i.The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (or AMASR Act) is an act designed to protect ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains.
ii.As of 2024, 3691 monuments are protected by the ASI. UP has the largest number of monuments.
About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Director- General(DG)– Yadubir Singh Rawat
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1861
