World Heritage Day-18th of April

Today is Universal World Heritage Day and when I saw the advertisements in the morning newspapers, I was immediately reminded of a list of world heritage properties in India which I saw at one of the heritage places recently. I felt proud and lucky to have seen most of the cultural properties in India listed with UNESCO. I was, at the same time, shocked to know that I have not been to a single natural heritage property despite the fact that I am a Biology person (post-graduate in Zoology). I am wondering what has kept me away from seeing these places? 

This year’s (18th Apr’11) theme for the day is `The cultural Heritage of Water’ and the purpose obviously, is to save and preserve water which is the very basis of life.

I present below a list of World Heritage Properties in India (as of today), and my check list indicateing the places I have been to so far. How about you? Want to check?

Cultural/Architechtural Properties

Under care of ASI –

1.Ajanta Caves (1983), Maharashtra

2.Ellora Caves (1983), Maharashtra

3.Agra Fort (1983), UP

4.Taj Mahal (1982), UP

5.Sun Temple, Konark (1984), Orissa

6.Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984), Tamil Nadu

7.Churches and convents of Goa (1986), goa

8.Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986), MP

9.Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986), Karnataka

10.Group of Monuments at Fatehpur Sikri (1986), UP

11.Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987), Karnataka

12.Elephanta Caves (19870,Maharashtra

13.Great Living Chola temples at Thanjavur (1987), Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram (2004), TN

14.Buddhist Monuments at sanchi (1989), MP

15.Humayun’s Tomb (1993), Delhi

16.Group of Monuments at Qutb Complex (1993), Delhi

17.Rock Gardens of Bhimbetka (2003), MP

18.Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park (2004), Gujarat

19.Red Fort Complex (2007), Delhi

 Under Protection of Ministry of Railways –

20. Mountain Railways of India, Darjeeling (1999) WB: Nilgiri (2005), TN; Kalka simla (2008), HP

21. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Or CST ( formerly Victoria Terminus or VT ), (2004), Maharashtra

Under Protection of Bodhgaya Temple Managament Committee –

22.Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya (2002), Bihar

Under Protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and museum Department  –

23.Jantar Mantar (2010), Rajasthan

Natural Properties

Under Protection of Ministry of Environment and Forest –

24. Kaziranga National Park (1985), Assam

25. Manas Wildlife sanctuary (1985), Assam

26. Keoladeo National Park (1985), Rajasthaan

27. Sunderbans National Park (1987), WB

28. Nanda devi and valley of Flowers National parks (1988, 20050, Uttaranchal

My score is 16/28 [1 to 7,10,12, 14 to 16, 19-21, 23] and one more is on the cards. Feels good. Honestly speaking, it is 15.67/28, as I haven't been to Darjeeling part of the Mountain railways. If you have got `chakras' under your feet and are an avid traveller, mark your list and get your travel quotient! I will keep updating this list, as and when I will get to go to these places or when a new property will be listed with  the UNESCO.

Pictures
 of some of the places I have seen

 For more information on heritage sites, you may visit these official sites-

http://www.unesco.org/    and  http://www.asi.nic.in/

Update- My score on 01/04/2012 is 18/28. Khajuraho and Mahabodhi complex :)
Update- Rock shelters of Bhimbetka, It is 19/28