UNESCO

As of Feb 2025,

Cultural Sites (35):

1. Agra Fort (Uttar Pradesh)

2. Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra)
3. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Bihar)
4. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)
5. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (Gujarat)
6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Maharashtra)
7. Churches and Convents of Goa (Goa)
8. Dholavira: A Harappan City (Gujarat)
9. Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra)
10.Ellora Caves (Maharashtra)
11.Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)
12.Great Living Chola Temples (Tamil Nadu)
13.Group of Monuments at Hampi (Karnataka)
14.Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu)
15.Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (Karnataka)
16.Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Rajasthan)
17.Historic City of Ahmadabad (Gujarat)
18.Humayun’s Tomb (Delhi)
19.Jaipur City (Rajasthan)
20.Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple (Telangana)
21.Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Madhya Pradesh)
22.Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
23.Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (Assam)
24.Mountain Railways of India (Various States)
25.Qutb Minar and its Monuments (Delhi)
26.Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) (Gujarat)
27.Red Fort Complex (Delhi)
28.Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)
29.Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (Karnataka)
30.Santiniketan (West Bengal)
31.Sun Temple, Konârak (Odisha)
32.Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh)
33.The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Chandigarh)
34.The Jantar Mantar (Rajasthan)
35.Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Natural Sites (7):

1. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (Himachal Pradesh)

2. Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
 3. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)
4. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam)
5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (Uttarakhand)
6. Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal)
7. Western Ghats (Multiple States)
Mixed Site (1):

1. Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim)

Intangible Cultural Heritage:

1. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre (2008) – A traditional performing art from Kerala, recognized as one of
India's oldest living theatrical traditions.

2. Tradition of Vedic Chanting (2008) – The oral tradition of chanting the Vedas, ancient Hindu
scriptures, preserved over millennia.

3. Ramlila, the Traditional Performance of the Ramayana (2008) – Dramatic enactments of the epic
Ramayana, performed across various regions in India.

4. Ramman, Religious Festival and Ritual Theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas (2009) – A religious
festival featuring ritual theatre, celebrated in Uttarakhand.

5. Chhau Dance (2010) – A traditional dance form from eastern India, depicting episodes from epics and
folklore.

6. Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan (2010) – Cultural expressions of the Kalbelia
community, known for their snake-charming heritage.

7. Mudiyettu, Ritual Theatre and Dance Drama of Kerala (2010) – A ritualistic dance drama depicting
the mythological tale of the goddess Kali.

8. Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh (2012) – The recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan
region of Ladakh.

9. Sankirtana, Ritual Singing, Drumming, and Dancing of Manipur (2013) – A religious performance
art integral to the Vaishnava community in Manipur.

10.Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Utensil Making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru,
Punjab(2014) – A traditional craft of creating brass and copper utensils, practiced by the Thatheras
community.

11.Yoga (2016) – An ancient physical, mental, and spiritual practice originating in India.

12.Kumbh Mela (2017) – A mass Hindu pilgrimage where devotees gather to bathe in sacred rivers.

13.Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021) – An annual festival celebrating the Hindu goddess Durga, marked by
elaborate rituals and artistic displays.

14.Garba of Gujarat (2023) – A traditional dance form performed during the Navaratri festival, celebrating
feminine energy.

15.Nawrouz (2024) – A traditional festival marking the Persian New Year, celebrated by various
communities, including in India.

Memory of the World (MoW) Programme:

Types of Lists Under MoW

1. International Register – Documents of global significance.

2. Regional Register – Documents significant at the regional level (e.g., Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe).
3. National Register – Documents significant to individual countries.
India’s Inscriptions in the Memory of the World Register

As of now, 9 Indian documentary heritage items have been included in UNESCO’s Memory of the
World Register:

1. Rigveda Manuscripts – Oldest Hindu scriptures (UNESCO-listed in 2007).

 2. The Iqbal Nama-i-Jahangiri – A 17th-century Persian manuscript detailing Emperor Jahangir’s rule.
3. The Ramcharitmanas Manuscript – A historic manuscript of Tulsidas’s Ramayana.
4. Mahatma Gandhi’s Writings – Key letters and writings of Gandhi.
5. Shivaji’s Letters – Letters written by the Maratha king Shivaji.
6. Archives of Dutch East India Company (in Tamil Nadu Archives) – Important historical documents
from the colonial period.
7. Saṅgīta-Ratnākara Manuscripts – A 13th-century Sanskrit text on music and dance.
8. Zakhirat-ul-Khawanin – A Persian manuscript on Mughal administration.
9. Tibetan Kanjur Manuscripts – Buddhist texts of Tibetan origin.
Biosphere Reserves are areas designated by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
Programme to promote sustainable development, conservation, and biodiversity. These reserves are
recognized for their unique ecosystems, and they serve as living laboratories where scientific research,
conservation, and education can occur alongside sustainable human activities.

Biosphere reserves are typically divided into three zones:

1. Core Zone: Protected area where human activities are restricted to preserve the biodiversity and
ecosystem.
2. Buffer Zone: Surrounds the core zone and allows for activities that support conservation like research,
education, and sustainable resource management.
3. Transition Zone: Areas where sustainable human activities, including agriculture, forestry, and tourism,
are allowed.
List of Biosphere Reserves in India (as of 2025)

1. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (West Bengal)

Famous for the Sundarbans mangrove forests and the Bengal tiger.
2. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka)

Includes Nilgiri Hills, home to elephants, tigers, and other wildlife.

3. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu)

Rich in marine biodiversity, including coral reefs and marine species like sea cucumbers.
4. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (Uttarakhand)

Known for the Nanda Devi mountain and rich flora and fauna, including the endangered snow
leopard.
5. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (Meghalaya)

Famous for the Nokrek Peak and a variety of endemic species, including the red panda.
6. Manas Biosphere Reserve (Assam, Bhutan)

Shared with Bhutan and known for Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
7. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim)

Named after the Khangchendzonga mountain, this reserve is known for its diverse ecosystems.
8. Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (Odisha)

A rich diversity of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and various flora.

9. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve (Andhra Pradesh)

Known for the Seshachalam Hills and a rich variety of plant species.
10.Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

Located in the Andaman Islands, known for its unique island ecosystems.
11.Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (Kerala, Tamil Nadu)

Located in the Western Ghats, it is rich in flora, fauna, and medicinal plants.
12.Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)

Known for Pachmarhi, a hill station with rich wildlife diversity.

13.Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh)

Encompasses forests and rivers in the Amarkantak Plateau.

14.Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh)

Noted for its unique flora and fauna and its significance in biodiversity.
 15.Keller National Park Biosphere Reserve (Uttarakhand)

Known for the Keller National Park, a wildlife haven.

16.Chilika Lake Biosphere Reserve (Odisha)

Famous for Chilika Lake, a large brackish water lagoon, and a stopover for migratory birds.
17.Tadoba-Andhari Biosphere Reserve (Maharashtra)

Known for the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, rich in tigers and other species.
18.Sariska Biosphere Reserve (Rajasthan)

Famous for its tiger population and the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
Each Biosphere Reserve has three key zones: Core Zone, Buffer Zone, and Transition Zone.

1. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (West Bengal)

Core Zone: Sundarbans National Park

Buffer Zone: Sundarbans Reserve Forests
Transition Zone: Surrounding human settlements and agricultural lands.
2. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka)

Core Zone: Nilgiri North and South Forests, Silent Valley National Park
Buffer Zone: Forests surrounding the core zone, including parts of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Transition Zone: Human settlements and agricultural areas surrounding the forests.
3. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu)

Core Zone: Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park

Buffer Zone: Coastal waters, islands, and surrounding coastal regions.
Transition Zone: Villages, fishing zones, and human settlements.
4. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (Uttarakhand)

Core Zone: Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks

Buffer Zone: Nanda Devi National Park buffer zone
Transition Zone: Human settlements and agricultural lands around the reserve.
5. Manas Biosphere Reserve (Assam)

Core Zone: Manas National Park

Buffer Zone: Areas around the park, including parts of Bhutan.
Transition Zone: Surrounding villages and agricultural areas.
6. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim)

Core Zone: Khangchendzonga National Park

Buffer Zone: Areas adjacent to the park.
Transition Zone: Villages and agricultural areas surrounding the park.
7. Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (Odisha)

Core Zone: Simlipal National Park

Buffer Zone: Surrounding forested areas and buffer zones.
Transition Zone: Human settlements and agricultural land near the park.
8. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve (Andhra Pradesh)

Core Zone: Seshachalam Hills and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary

Buffer Zone: Forests surrounding the core zone.
Transition Zone: Villages and agricultural areas adjacent to the reserve.
9. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

Core Zone: Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve Core Area

Buffer Zone: Surrounding forested areas and marine zones.
Transition Zone: Human settlements and surrounding agricultural land.
10. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (Kerala, Tamil Nadu)

Core Zone: Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Core Area

Buffer Zone: Forests surrounding the core zone.
 Transition Zone: Human settlements and agricultural lands.
11. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)

Core Zone: Pachmarhi Sanctuary

Buffer Zone: Areas surrounding the core zone.
Transition Zone: Human settlements and agricultural land.
12. Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh)

Core Zone: Amarkantak Forest Area and Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary

Buffer Zone: Adjacent forest areas surrounding the core zone.
Transition Zone: Human settlements and agricultural areas near the reserve.
13. Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh)

Core Zone: Dehang-Debang National Park

Buffer Zone: Surrounding forests and protected areas.
Transition Zone: Nearby villages and agricultural land.
14. Chilika Lake Biosphere Reserve (Odisha)

Core Zone: Chilika Lake

Buffer Zone: Wetland areas surrounding the lake.
Transition Zone: Villages and human settlements around the lake.
15. Tadoba-Andhari Biosphere Reserve (Maharashtra)

Core Zone: Tadoba National Park

Buffer Zone: Adjacent forest areas and wildlife corridors.
Transition Zone: Villages and agricultural land nearby.
16. Sariska Biosphere Reserve (Rajasthan)

Core Zone: Sariska Tiger Reserve

Buffer Zone: Surrounding forest areas and buffer zones.
Transition Zone: Villages and agricultural land adjacent to the reserve.
These zones are designed to ensure biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and human
sustainable development, with careful management of human activities in the buffer and transition
zones.