Great Himalayan National Park inscribed as a World Heritage Site. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, a rich biodiversity in Himachal Pradesh and home to several rare and threatened species of flora and fauna, was on Monday approved for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The decision comes only a day after 'Rani-ki-Vav', an 11th century stepwell in Gujarat earned the coveted status. Located in Kullu district, some 250 km from Shimla, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) embodies the ancient method of environmental conservation in the Kullu Valley. Spread over 905.40-sq km, the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA) includes the upper mountain glacial and snow melt water source origins of the westerly flowing JiwaNal, Sainj and Tirthan Rivers and the north- westerly flowing Parvati River, the Culture Ministry said.
Great Himalayan National Park: Great Himalayan National Park (GHNPCA) is located in the western part of the Himalayan Mountains in the northern Indian State of Himachal Pradesh and is characterized by high alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests. The 90,540 ha property includes the upper mountain glacial and snow melt water source origins of several rivers, and the catchments of water supplies that are vital to millions of downstream users. The GHNPCA protects the monsoon-affected forests and alpine meadows of the Himalayan front ranges. It is part of the Himalaya biodiversity hotspot and includes 25 forest types along with a rich assemblage of fauna species, several of which are threatened. This gives the site outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation.
Total 32 UNESCO sites in World Heritage List from India:
UNESCO Cultural Sites
1. Agra Fort (1983)
2. Ajanta Caves (1983)
3. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
4. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
6. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
7. Elephanta Caves (1987)
8. Ellora Caves (1983)
9. Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
10. Great Living Chola Temples (1987)
11. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
12. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
13. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
14. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
15. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)
16. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
17. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
18. Mountain Railways of India (1999)
19. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
20. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
21. Red Fort Complex (2007)
22. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
23. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
24. Taj Mahal (1983)
25. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
UNESCO Natural Sites:
26. Great Himalayan National Park (2014)
27. Kaziranga National Park (1985)
28. Keoladeo National Park (1985)
29. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
30. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)
31. Sundarbans National Park (1987)
32. Western Ghats (2012)
