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World Heritage Day Date: 18th April 2025.
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ASI Free Entry: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is offering free entry to all its protected monuments across India on World Heritage Day, encouraging exploration of India’s cultural legacy. The ASI protects 3,698 monuments and sites.
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Purpose of the Day: To raise awareness about the significance of cultural heritage and the need for its preservation. It was established by ICOMOS in 1982 and recognized by UNESCO in 1983.
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2025 Theme: “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions.” This aims to spread awareness on safeguarding heritage sites from natural or manmade disasters, threats or conflicts.
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World Heritage Sites (WHS): Locations with outstanding universal value, protected under the World Heritage Convention (1972) by UNESCO.
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India’s WHS: As of April 2025, India has 43 World Heritage Sites (34 Cultural, 7 Natural, 2 Mixed) and 62 sites on the Tentative List.
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Key Government Initiatives:
- Restoration of Antiquities: India has been retrieving cultural artifacts from other countries.
- Heritage Scheme and Corridor Projects: Public and private entities can support heritage site upkeep through CSR via the Adopt a Heritage Programme (2017).
- Digital Documentation: Digitization of antiquities and heritage sites under the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA).
- Global Cultural Leadership: India hosted the 46th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Delhi (July 2024).
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Citizen’s Responsibility: It is the collective responsibility, as per the Constitution, to protect invaluable heritage sites.
