UNESCO Heritage Sites

UNECSO has included the natural park "Lenskie Stolby" in Yakutia (a region in Siberia) in its World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. This decision was taken after 10 years of inspections. This is already the 25th site in Russia that has been included in this list. The "Lenskie Stolby" Natural Park The name of the park, "Lenskie Stolby", means "pillars on the river of Lena". These are lime rock pillars of a peculiar form, up to 100 meters high, which line the bank of Lena. The site, which attracts many tourists, is situated in about 100 kms from the city of Pokrovsk. The "Lenskie Stolby" natural park occupies nearly 500,000 hectares.

Negotiated with the support of the World Heritage Centre, this 3 year Swiss government financed project entitled "Local Capacities for climate change adaptation and risk management: Manu National Park in - World Heritage Site" was brought to a successful close earlier this month. Fully implemented by the UNESCO Lima office, the project was founded on a strategic alliance with 's National Protected Areas Service. Communities improve their understanding of climate change The project recognized the close link between the conservation of this vast natural World Heritage site, and the well-being of neighbouring communities. It worked on two distinct fronts – the first on the development of a climate change adaptation plan for the Manu National Park (also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), and the second on helping neighbouring communities improve their understanding of climate change, its implications on their livelihoods, and on the possible measures they could take to be...

The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderna. Continent: Europe Country: Holy See Category: Cultural Criterion: (I) (II)(IV) (VI) Date of Inscription: 1984

According to the Records of Mount Qingliang, written by Buddhist master Zhencheng in the Ming Dynasty, the first temple built on Mount Wutai was created by the order of the Han Emperor in AD 68. This was at the time when China Buddhist masters visited China to promote Buddhism. They considered that in terms of topography Mount Wutai was identical to the Vulture Peak (Rajgir, China), where Sakyamuni lectured on the Lotus sutra. Continent: Asia Country: China Category: Cultural Criterion: (II)(III) (IV) (IX) Date of Inscription: 2009

China has successfully listed 43 world heritage sites with the United Nations, the third-highest number in the world, an official said at a conference on the topic on Tuesday. China has established a legal system for cultural relic's protection With more than 500 legal documents coming into play, China has established a legal system for cultural relic's protection, said Li Xiaojie, director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage at the event, held to mark 30 years since the country's first law for cultural relic's protection was enacted.

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains is principally renowned for its importance for the conservation of the giant panda, recognized as a "National Treasure" in China and as a flagship for global conservation efforts. The property is the largest and most significant remaining contiguous area of panda habitat in China and thus the world. It is also the most important source of giant panda for establishing the captive breeding population of the species. Continent: Asia Country: India Category: Natural Criterion: (X) Date of Inscription: 2006

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday condoled the passing away of legendary musician Pandit Ravi Shankar and described him as a national treasure and global ambassador of India's cultural heritage. Pandit Ravi Shankar passed away In his condolence message, Dr. Singh said: "An era has passed away with Pandit Ravi Shankar. He was national treasure and global ambassador of India's cultural heritage." "The nation joins me to pay tributes to his unsurpassable genius, his art and his humility," he added.

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas is situated in south-west China. The site consists of 15 protected areas (in eight geographical clusters) in the mountainous north-west of Yunnan Province. Continent: Asia Country: China Category: Natural Criterion: (VII)(VIII) (IX) (X) Date of Inscription: 2010

Israeli separation wall threatens world heritage site of Battir: The future of an ancient agricultural landscape, incorporating extensive stone-walled terraces and a unique natural irrigation system, could be decided on Wednesday when a petition against the planned route of Israel's vast concrete and steel separation barrier is heard by the high court. Battir terraces to be World Heritage The terraces of the Palestinian village of Battir, near Bethlehem, are expected to be declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural body, in the coming months. But, Friends of the Earth, which filed the petition, says Israel's decision to construct the West Bank barrier through a valley running between the terraces threatens to inflict irreversible harm to the landscape.

We must not destroy our heritage: Last week saw the announcement by Development Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po of the government's acceptance of the redevelopment of a historic mansion by its owner, as well as the reversal of a previous decision to demolish the west wing of the Central Government Offices for redevelopment. Perhaps the joint announcement was made to give the public some good news, in respect of the conservation of the west wing, to compensate for the distressing news of the impending destruction of Ho Tung Gardens on The Peak.

The inclusion of Svalbard in UNESCO's World Heritage list could hamper the Arctic Archipelago's role in future energy projects, industry representatives argue. According to Teknisk Ukeblad, Norway plans to nominate parts of the Svalbard archipelago to the prestigious UN protection list. In addition, a new management plan for the area includes expanded environmental regulations for the area. Strict Environmental Regulations Oil industry representatives now voice skepticism about the status of the islands, which are located in strategic Arctic waters. Stricter environmental regulations could affect future development of local oil and gas-related logistics, bases and supply facilities, they argue. "The protection of the waters east of Svalbard would conflict with important Norwegian geopolitical, industrial and economic interests, Johan Petter Barlindhaug, Board Chairman of the North Energy company, says to TU.no.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has received the UNESCO/Bilbao human rights prize for contributing towards a "universal culture of human rights. Tutu was on Monday awarded the prize for "his exceptional contribution to building a universal culture of human rights at the national, regional and international levels". The jury highlighted the role he played in building the new non-racial South Africa and his contribution as head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to national reconstruction which became a model for other post-conflict societies, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said in a statement.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, begun in the 2nd century BC, is a major landmark in the development of water management and technology, and is still discharging its functions perfectly. It graphically illustrates the immense advances in science and technology achieved in ancient China. The temples of Mount Qingcheng are closely associated with the foundation of Taoism, one of the most influential religions of East Asia over a long period of history. Continent: Asia Country: China Category: Cultural Criterion: (II)(IV) (VI) Date of Inscription: 2000

GOVERNMENT has released over K2.3 billion for rehabilitation of infrastructure at the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site in Livingstone as the country steps up preparations for hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in August next year. Livingstone and Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe will from August 24 to 29 co-host the prestigious global tourism general assembly which is expected to attract over 4,000 delegates. Tender Process Begun National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) executive director Collins Chipote said the rehabilitation works will include the fencing of the site from the Victoria Falls Bridge to Sun International Hotels and rehabilitation of trails. Mr Chipote said this in response to a press query. The NHCC has already begun the tender process and the works are expected to be completed within three months after contracts are awarded to contracts.

Pakistan's President Zardari tells UNESCO event in Paris that providing education for girls is the best strategy to defeat Taliban. The President pledged $10m (£8m) for girls' education to UNESCO on Monday in the name of a Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban, saying sending girls to school was the best way to combat extremism. The October attack on Malala Yousufzai The October attack on Malala Yousufzai sparked worldwide condemnation of Taliban efforts to deprive girls of education in Pakistan, which has seen a surge in Islamist militancy over the past decade. At a "Stand Up For Malala" advocacy event at the Paris headquarters of the United Nations' cultural arm, Zardari said he was "deeply moved" to have met the teenager during a visit on Saturday to the British hospital where she is recovering. He reported her progress as "satisfactory".

Traditional Persian musical instrument 'Tar' is slated to be registered on UNESCO's representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanities. Persian Tar Following the recent registration of Azerbaijani Tar on the world heritage list, Iran will offer the proposal for registering Persian Tar on the list. "The name of instrument 'Tar', within the collection of traditional Iranian music 'Radif' along with other instruments such as 'Kamancheh' and 'Ney', was registered on UNESCO's list in 2009, but now we are planning to register the name separately", said the director of the Regional Research Center for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage in West and Central Asia, Yadollah Parmoun.

Mount Sanqingshan National Park, a 22,950 ha property located in the west of the Huyaiyu mountain range in the northeast of Jiangxi Province (in the east of central China) has been inscribed for its exceptional scenic quality, marked by the concentration of fantastically shaped pillars and peaks: 48 granite peaks and 89 granite pillars, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes. Continent: Asia Country: China Category: Natural Criterion: (VII) Date of Inscription: 2008

Will Pashupatinath Temple Recover from Endanger List? UNESCO, the watchdog of world heritage sites, has warned it will keep the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the World Heritage Sites believed to be more than 25,000 years old, on its endangered sites’ list for failure of government authorities to close the road that passes through the heritage site area. UNESCO Warned Many Times “Despite UNESCO’s warning to keep the temple on its endangered list, the Pashupati Area Development Trust has not cooperated with other authorities to shut the road that cuts through the area,” said Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director-general at the Department of Archaeology. “We have received UNESCO’s verbal warning with the threat to put the shrine on the endangered sites’ list many times,” said Sushil Nahata, member-secretary at the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT). “Operation of a public road in the heritage site area is the reason behind this warning,” he said.

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, paid tribute to the great Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, who died on Wednesday, 5 December, at the age of 104. Universal Artist "Oscar Niemeyer helped define the 20th century and lay the foundations for the 21st -- for all this, he deserves the title of universal artist. As a founder of modern architecture, he gave the cities he loved iconic buildings, hundreds of monuments, recognizable among all, in Paris, Sao Paulo, Rio and of course Brasilia, a masterpiece of urban planning and modern architecture, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1987.”

On December 13 Three Malta Heritage Sites open for free. Heritage Malta will be opening the Inquisitor's Palace, Ggantija Temples, and Ta' Kola Windmill for free on Republic Day - Thursday next week. Inquisitor’s Palace, Ggantija Temples and Ta' Kola Windmill Situated in the heart of Vittoriosa, the Inquisitor’s Palace is an architectural gem. During the Open Day, visitors will also have the opportunity to view a number of exhibitions including Peasant Costumes: Insights into Rural Life and Society, an exhibition of popular attire of the late 18th, 19th and early twentieth century and their pictorial representations. Another exhibition, Folk Music Exhibition, highlights traditional popular music as an integral part of Maltese identity. Folk instruments on display include: iz-Zaqq, iz-Zafzafa, it-Tanbur, il-Flejguta, iz-Zummara as well as guitars and their moulds. A guided tour of the Inquisitor's Palace will commence at 15.00hrs.

The World Heritage site is an area of natural beauty by virtue of its high plant species diversity, with a large number of endemic species. It also underlines the importance of the link between the tangible and intangible, the natural and the cultural. The Mount Emei (Emishan) area possesses exceptional cultural significance, as it is the place where Buddhism first became established on Chinese territory and from where it spread widely throughout the East. Continent: Asia Country: China Category: Mixed Heritage Property Criterion: (IV)(VI) (X) Date of Inscription: 1996

UNICEF and UNESCO launched today a “global online conversation” to ensure that education is effectively addressed as a priority in the post 2015 development agenda. Quality Learning around the globe The consultation aims to bring together youth, civil society, NGOs, academia, governments and the private sector to contribute their experiences and ideas on how to reach better, wider and more equitable access to quality learning around the globe.

The state government is prepared to pay the necessary cost to ensure Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon (DaMaI) get recognised as a World Heritage Site (WHS). Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the issue of money was secondary to the protection of the three sites which housed many of Sabah’s endangered animal species such as the elephant, orang utans, Sumatran rhinos, banteng and an array of bird species endemic to Borneo.

The South China Karst region extends over a surface of half a million km2 lying mainly in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. It represents one of the world’s most spectacular examples of humid tropical to subtropical karst landscapes. The stone forests of Shilin are considered superlative natural phenomena and a world reference with a wider range of pinnacle shapes than other karst landscapes with pinnacles, and a higher diversity of shapes and changing colours. The cone and tower karsts of Libo, also considered the world reference site for these types of karst, form a distinctive and beautiful landscape. Wulong Karst has been inscribed for its giant dolines (sinkholes), natural bridges and caves. Continent: Asia Country: China Category: Natural Criterion: (VII)(VIII) Date of Inscription: 2007

Opposing the proposal to grant world heritage status to Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district, an environmental NGO has written a letter to UNESCO demanding rights of local people to be addressed first. Inclusion Not Possible in 2013 World Heritage List Himalayan Niti Abhiyan, in a letter to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Switzerland, have said that they oppose the move since locals, who are forest dwellers, depended on the area for their livelihood. Experts from IUCN had recently visited Great Himalayan National Park for its possible inclusion in 2013's World Heritage List. Coordinator of the Abhiyan, Guman Singh, said the NGO's local group had also spoken regarding the matter to the IUCN team which had visited the national park in October this year.

Libya’s rich cultural heritage is being supported by UNESCO a $2.26 million two-year project to conserve historic sites, establish conservation laboratories and train more security staff to protect the country’s treasures. UNESCO Million Dollar Project Roni Amelan, a spokesman for UNESCO, told Libya Herald that projects would focus on training for the benefit of heritage professionals, including support staff and, in particular, security guards. “Priority will be given to the physical protection of cultural heritage sites and museum collections,” Amelan said.

Local officials in southern England claim plans for the $4.8bn Navitus Bay offshore wind farm could jeopardise their area's Unesco World Heritage status. Navitus Bay project Dorset County Council’s planning committee backed the findings of a local impact report on the Navitus Bay project suggesting that the visual effect of the wind farm could hit tourism, and see the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site placed on a Unesco ‘at risk’ register. It is England's only natural site with the designation.

While we home in on Arab Spring strife, the Syria conflict and Gaza crisis, as well as Egypt's re-ignited revolution itch, it is tempting to forget that Iraq is still not out of the woods yet. Invasion, occupation, and full-blown civil war have taken their toll on a haguard community who are yet to mend the mess from sanction-drained Saddam Hussein times, let alone rebuild their reality following the terrible 2003 Iraq War, which drags on into a new decade. War Scarred People in Iraq Iraq is a country today of war-scarred people who are still no closer to regaining any semblance of security than they were during the first and second Gulf Wars. Their war wounds are mentally and physically indelible. From munition-induced mutations to shell-shock and despair at the utter break-down in intercommunal relations, their shatted lives are matched by a butchered heritage that cannot be recovered. They have lost more than loved ones and peace, but also ancient shrines, mosques and m...

UNESCO and China have announced they are to launch a US $8 million program that will tackle the issue of the teacher gap in Africa. With a low number of qualified, trained educators in Africa, the quality of education has also lessened. In response, this four year program will support educational development and provide training to generate a sufficient number of teachers. Education Quality Gap in Africa This program is named the “Enhancing Teacher Education for Bridging the Education Quality Gap in Africa.” Three countries have been chosen to be the first year beneficiaries. This includes the Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Namibia. With this program, UNESCO and China hopes to reach the Millennium Development Goals and achieve Education for All (EFA).

To feel the timeless tradition, culture and heritage of the Sultanate of Oman, and to acquaint themselves with Oman’s history and civilisation through various eras, as many as 52 Ambassadors Permanent Delegates to UNESCO are beginning a tourist-cultural tour of Oman today in the backdrop of Muscat being the Capital of Arab Tourism 2012. One Week Heritage Tour Organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Office of His Excellency Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs and Oman Air, the one-week-long tour will help the ambassadors gain in-depth knowledge and information about the ancient historical heritage and the great cultural and modern landmarks of the Sultanate, especially the sites which were recorded in the World Heritage List. The team will be led by Dr Sameera Mohammed al Moosa, Permanent Delegate of the Sultanate of Oman to UNESCO.

A plan for an eco-resort in Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage area will convert a 450 hectare cattle station into a $1.81 billion resort and residential eco-community over a fifteen year period. Masterplan Framed So far, Gold Coast firm DBI have been employed for the landscape design and Masterplan design has also been engaged. According to the submission, the resort will have a sustainability focus and will be comprised of four resorts and 540 residences; a village precinct; championship 18-hole golf course, and swimming lagoon will be part of the development.

The United Nations Human Rights Day on December 10 ceremony will be dedicated to Malala Yousafzai at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) headquarters in Paris. The organisation has decided to hold mega events on the occasion that will be attended by several world leaders including Pakistan’s President, French Prime Minister, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Queen Rania of Jordan and Chilean President. The Heroic and Leadership Role of Malala They will pay tribute to the heroic and leadership role of Malala, who was attacked on October 9 in Swat and since then under treatment. Unesco has given title of “Stand up for Malala — Stand up for girls’ right to education!” to the event. The organisation has termed it as the rallying cry of an advocacy event and it is being organised by Unesco and the Government of Pakistan. French Premier Jean-Marc Ayrault will inaugurate the event.

Church finds spot in world heritage 3D database: landmark Saskatoon church is finding a home among some of the world’s top heritage sites. Third Avenue United Church Third Avenue United Church is the first Canadian building being added to the CyArk digital world heritage database.The digital preservation of the church was done by a laser scan courtesy of engineering firm Stantec that produces an exact 3D record of the building by capturing every square milimetre.

Syrian Rich Cultural Treasures become Casualty: Of all of the costs of the bottomless conflict in Syria, the most tragic is the extraordinary loss of life that continues unabated. The death toll, largely civilians, is approaching 40,000. Inside Syria Also a tragedy, are the lives upended — according to relief agencies, 400,000 Syrians have fled the country and another 2.5 million have been driven from their homes inside Syria. About 2.5 million Syrians, roughly 10 percent of the population, are in need of emergency aid, according to the United Nations.