TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE
THE CONTEXT: Madhya Pradesh rejoices as six heritage sites earn a spot on UNESCO’s tentative list, marking a proud moment for the state’s cultural heritage.
EXPLANATION:
UNESCO’s Tentative List:
- UNESCO’s tentative list is an inventory of properties which each state party intends to consider for nomination.
- As per Operational Guidelines, 2019 of UNESCO, it is mandatory to put any monument/site on the tentative list for one year before it is considered for the final nomination dossier.
- Once the nomination is done, it is sent to the World Heritage Centre (WHC).
Sites that has been added to the UNESCO’s Tentative List:
- Gwalior Fort: Completed in 8th century AD by Raja Surya Sena, consisting of Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Sas Bahu temples etc.
- Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur: Underground water management system, built by Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan during Jahangir’s reign. Based on Persian qanat approach.
- Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley: Rock art in hilly areas of Vindhyan, Satpura, and Kaimur ranges.
- Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhojpur: Lord Shiva temple, built during 11th century under Raja Bhoj. Built in Bhumija style (evolved form of Nagara style during Paramara period).
- Gond Monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla: Architectural complexes built by Gond rulers consisting of Moti Mahal, Raibhagat ki Kothi, Begum Mahal etc.
- The Historical Ensemble of Dhamnar: Rock cut site consisting of 51 monolithic Buddhist caves (5th-7th century CE) and hindu temple complex (Dharmarajeshwara temple).
World heritage site and UNESCO:
- A World Heritage site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
- World Heritage sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance.
- The sites are judged to contain “cultural and natural heritage around the world considered being of outstanding value to humanity.”
- The concept of World Heritage emerged after WWII amid concerns over the widespread destruction of cultural sites and nature.
- Efforts to remedy this led to the drafting of the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, commonly known as the World Heritage Convention.
- It established the framework to preserve the world’s outstanding heritage.
