7 Indian Sites Join UNESCO Tentative List

On 12th September 2025, UNESCO added seven new Indian properties to its Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. With this addition, India now has 69 properties on the Tentative List, including 49 under the Cultural category, 17 under Natural, and three under Mixed categories.

Key Points

New Properties Added:
- Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
- Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
- Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Udupi, Karnataka
- Meghalayan Age Caves, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
- Naga Hill Ophiolite, Kiphire, Nagaland
- Natural Heritage of Erra Matti Dibbalu, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Natural Heritage of Varkala, Kerala
Significance: The additions highlight India’s commitment to preserving its rich natural and cultural heritage.
UNESCO Process: Inclusion on the Tentative List is a mandatory step before a property can be inscribed on the World Heritage List.