UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: https://www.timesnownews.com/travel/news/new-chinese-migratory-bird-sanctuaries-added-to-unesco-world-heritage-list-article-112057811

 Context: The recent addition of China's Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase II) to the UNESCO World Heritage List marks a significant milestone in global biodiversity conservation.

 Details

• The UNESCO World Heritage List is a designation given to sites of outstanding universal value. This recognition aims to protect and preserve cultural and natural heritage around the world.

Bohai Sea ●The Bohai Sea, also known as the Bo Sea, is a gulf/inland sea on China's east coast. ●It connects to the Yellow Sea via the Bohai Strait and is surrounded by Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, and Shandong provinces in China.

 Newly Added Sites

• Chongming, Shanghai: An estuarine wetland that plays a crucial role in supporting migratory birds.
• Dongying, Shandong Province: The Yellow River estuary is known for its significant wetlands that provide essential habitat for migratory species.
• Cangzhou, Hebei Province: A wetland area that supports a variety of bird species.
• Dalian, Liaoning Province: A national-level nature reserve with diverse habitats for migratory birds.
• Yalu River Estuary, Dandong, Liaoning Province: An important estuarine area for bird migration.

 Significance of UNESCO Recognition

Enhanced Protection and International Cooperation

• Boosting Conservation Efforts: The Phase II recognition is expected to strengthen protection efforts for these critical habitats.
• International Collaboration: The inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List fosters international cooperation, encouraging other nations to collaborate in the preservation of migratory routes and associated ecosystems.

Highlighting China’s Environmental Commitment

• China’s Dedication: The addition of these sites demonstrates China’s ongoing commitment to environmental conservation and biodiversity.
• Building an Eco-Friendly China: The recognition aligns with China's broader goals of developing a beautiful and eco-friendly nation.

 Need for Ongoing Conservation Work

• Restoring and Maintaining Habitats: The recognition also emphasizes the need for continued efforts to protect and restore habitats along the migratory routes to ensure the long-term survival of migratory bird species.

 World Heritage Sites

• World Heritage Sites are landmarks or areas recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for their exceptional cultural, historical, or natural significance. These sites are protected under international conventions to ensure their preservation for future generations. They are deemed to have "outstanding universal value" due to their unique contribution to human history, culture, or natural beauty.
  

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) ●It is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting global peace and security through international cooperation in education, the arts, sciences, and culture. ●It was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Paris, France. ●The organization has 194 member states, 12 associate members, and collaborates with various partners in the non-governmental, intergovernmental, and private sectors. ●UNESCO established the World Heritage Committee in 1976 and began listing World Heritage Sites in 1978 to protect cultural and natural landmarks of global significance.

 Key Objectives

• Preservation: Ensure the conservation of heritage sites for future generations.
• Recognition: Provide international recognition to sites of global importance.
• Protection: Offer legal protection to prevent destruction or neglect.
• Funding and Support: Facilitate conservation efforts through funding and international cooperation.

History and Origin

Initiation and Campaigns

• In 1954, Egypt's decision to build the Aswan High Dam threatened numerous ancient sites along the Nile. In response, UNESCO launched the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia in 1960, successfully relocating key monuments like Abu Simbel and Philae.
• This successful campaign led to the establishment of similar initiatives and laid the groundwork for the World Heritage Convention.

 Convention Formation

• The concept of protecting cultural and natural heritage gained traction in the 1960s. The United States proposed a "World Heritage Trust" in 1965, which influenced the creation of the World Heritage Convention.
• The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO in November 1972 and came into force in December 1975.

Nomination Process

• Tentative List: Countries must first create a Tentative List of significant cultural and natural sites.
• Nomination File: Sites from the Tentative List are then nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage List. This file is reviewed by advisory bodies like the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) for cultural sites and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) for natural sites.
• Evaluation: Advisory bodies recommend sites to the World Heritage Committee, which meets annually to make final decisions.

 Selection Criteria

Sites must meet at least one of the ten criteria, which are divided into cultural and natural categories:

• Cultural Criteria:
  • • Masterpiece of human creative genius.
    • Important interchange of human values or significant development in architecture or technology.
    • Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization.
    • Outstanding example of a type of building or ensemble illustrating a significant stage in human history.
    • Outstanding example of traditional human settlement or land use.
    • Direct or tangible association with events, traditions, ideas, or works of outstanding universal significance.
• Natural Criteria:
  • • Superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty.
    • Outstanding examples of major stages of earth's history or geological processes.
    • Outstanding examples of ecological and biological processes in ecosystems and communities.
    • Most significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biodiversity.
      

Sites can be added to the "List of World Heritage in Danger" due to threats like armed conflict, natural disasters, pollution, or uncontrolled development. This status helps raise awareness and prompt action to address the threats. ●Galápagos Islands: Listed as endangered in 2007 due to human pressures, but later removed from the danger list. ●Arabian Oryx Sanctuary: Delisted in 2007 after Oman reduced the protected area. ●Dresden Elbe Valley: Removed from the list in 2009 due to construction that altered the landscape. ●Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City: Delisted in 2021 due to development causing irreversible changes.

Criticisms

• Geographic Bias: Over-representation of sites from Europe and North America, and under-representation of sites from other regions.
• Tourism Impact: Increased tourism can lead to overcrowding and damage to sites.
• Local Conflicts: UNESCO's designation can sometimes clash with local interests or practices.
• Lobbying and Politics: Efforts to influence the World Heritage designation process can be costly and affect the impartiality of the selection process.

Global Statistics (as of April 2024) Total Sites: 1,199 (933 cultural, 227 natural, 39 mixed) Top Countries by Number of Sites: Italy: 59 China: 57 France: 52 Germany: 52 India currently have 43 World Heritage Sites, with the sixth-highest number globally. Also, India has 57 sites on its tentative list for future consideration.

 Conclusion

• The inscription of China’s Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase II) on the UNESCO World Heritage List represents a crucial step in global biodiversity conservation. It highlights the ecological significance of these sites, highlights China’s commitment to environmental protection, and promotes international cooperation in preserving essential migratory routes.

 Source:

TIMESNOWNEWS

WIKIPEDIA

WIKIPEDIA

WIKIPEDIA

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following accurately describes the geographical and hydrological characteristics of the Bohai Sea, considering its regional context and connections with adjacent seas? A) It represents the largest marine body globally by surface area. B) It is an enclosed semi-circular sea in northern China, linked to the Yellow Sea via a narrow strait. C) It lies between the eastern coast of China and the islands of Japan, forming a strategic maritime corridor. D) It is characterized as a major deep-sea trench within the Pacific Ocean basin.  Answer: B