Latest news with #TentativeList
India Today
17 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Ashoka pillars, Bihar's Lauriya Nandangarh town on Unesco's tentative list
The Ashoka pillars of Rampurva and Lauriya Nandangarh in Bihar are part of a cluster of ancient properties which find a mention on the Tentative List of UNESCO for India under the title 'Serial Nomination for Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes', the government informed Parliament on Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Tentative List is an inventory of those properties which each State Party intends to consider for nomination, according to Paris-based UNESCO. Shekhawat was asked whether it is a fact that two Ashoka pillars in West Champaran in Bihar have been 'included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO'.'No, Sir. The Ashokan pillars of Rampurva and Lauriya Nandangarh in West Champaran have not yet been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, these two pillar edicts have been included in the Tentative List of UNESCO under the title 'Serial Nomination for Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes',' he pillars are protected and conserved from time to time, as required by the Archaeological Survey of India and are in a 'good state of conservation and preservation', Shekhawat serial nomination on India's tentative list spans states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, and Delhi, according to the UNESCO was submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO in February to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's tentative list is mandatory if a property is to be nominated for inscription to the World Heritage List in future.A set of six properties -- including some considered serially, such as Ashokan Edict Sites and Chausath Yogini Temples spread across multiple states -- have been added to India's tentative list by the World Heritage Centre, the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO had said in a statement in Union minster was also asked whether the government proposes to build a museum in the Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha constituency to keep these pillars safe at one place.'At present, there is no proposal to develop a museum at the site,' he added.- Ends
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
Thailand's Wat Arun Phra Prang nominated for UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List
Another great piece of news this month for Thai citizens, and this one comes with a view. There are certain places that seem too cinematic to be real. The Phra Prang at Wat Arun is one of them. Catch it at dusk, as the Chao Phraya turns from brown to bronze, and you'd be forgiven for thinking it was CGI. But this month, the towering Khmer-style spire – stitched together with porcelain shards, seashells and sheer devotion – got something even more official than a sunset Instagram story. It's been added to UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. In bureaucratic speak, this means 'not quite there yet.' But let's not be coy – the letter came signed by UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Culture, praising Thailand's submission and confirming it ticks every sacred, historical and aesthetic box. Locals call it the Temple of Dawn, but it's not just about the light. Rising 82 metres into the Bangkok sky, the central prang is said to mirror Mount Meru, the mythical axis of the Buddhist universe. While other landmarks go heavy on the gold, Wat Arun is all about texture: floral mosaics made from broken teacups, painstakingly embedded by hand – a kind of architectural patchwork, delicate but defiant. This isn't heritage that's been sealed off in a velvet rope museum sense. Wat Arun is very much alive: monks walk barefoot past tourists in bucket hats, and locals still pray beneath the spire as riverboats honk in the background. It stands at the confluence of devotion and daily chaos, and that's what makes it Thai. Plans are already underway to preserve the site with proper archaeological care and – importantly – input from people who actually live around it. Because when it comes to world heritage, it's not enough to just save the bricks. You have to keep the spirit intact. This nomination isn't just about a building. It's about showing the world that Thai culture can be grand without being showy, spiritual without turning its back on modern life. And if the prang does make it onto the full World Heritage list, it won't just be a win for preservation – it'll be proof that something distinctly Thai can stand tall in a global spotlight, seashells and all.
Barnama
14-07-2025
- General
- Barnama
Thailand's Wat Arun Phra Prang Added To Tentative World Heritage List
By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock BANGKOK, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Phra Prang of Wat Arun Ratchawararam, one of Bangkok's most iconic Buddhist landmarks, has been added to UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, Thai Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced. In a statement, Paetongtarn said the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, held from July 6 to 16 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, had officially acknowledged the listing of Wat Arun's central pagoda on the Tentative List. bootstrap slideshow 'The listing initiates the formal process that could lead to the temple's full recognition as a World Heritage Site,' she said in a statement published by the Public Relations Department on Monday. Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun Ratchawararam, better known as Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn, is an ancient temple that has been in use since the Ayutthaya period (in the 18th century). Published on its website, UNESCO stated that the Phra Prang of Wat Arun Ratchawararam is the most developed chedi in the prang shape. (Phra Prang or Prang refers to a Chedi in the Thai art in a tall tower shape used to enshrine the Buddha's relics). It is regarded as one of Thailand's most distinctive architectural masterpieces, reflecting deep historical and cultural significance from the Rattanakosin period. Paetongtarn said the Ministry of Culture has tasked the Fine Arts Department with preparing the Nomination Dossier and overseeing conservation and site management efforts in accordance with international heritage standards. 'These preparations are essential for progressing to the next stage of the nomination process. Work will include comprehensive documentation, conservation planning, and long-term preservation strategies to ensure the site's readiness for evaluation by UNESCO,' she added.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh's Salkhan Fossil Park makes it to USESCO tentative list: Stunning facts about the park
Good news coming from Uttar Pradesh. Salkhan Fossil Park, also known as Sonbhadra Fossils Park, has recently been added to UNESCO's Tentative List for World Heritage Sites. It's an incredible achievement for Uttar Pradesh which is a step towards international recognition of its geological and paleontological attraction. Situated in Salkhan village in Sonbhadra district, near Robertsganj, the park is spread across 25 hectares in the Kaimur Range. It boasts fossils up to 1.4 billion years old! Here are five stunning facts about Salkhan: Home to Prehistoric Stromatolites and Living Relics of the Mesoproterozoic The park offers an insight into the planet's earliest life forms as it is home to stromatolites which are layered sedimentary structures formed by ancient cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. These are microorganisms that have been photosynthesized. These stromatolites belong to the Mesoproterozoic era (1.6–1.0 billion years ago). These are extremely rare geological formations across the globe. Salkhan is much older than sites like Shark Bay in Australia and Yellowstone the USA. An insight into early life Salkhan is an extremely important site for many reasons as it has shattered the beliefs of scientists and geologists. For years, geologists thought life existed only from around 570 million years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo However, stromatolites discovered at Salkhan are older than that. These fossils are landmarks offering new perspectives about the Earth's earliest biosphere and oceanic ecosystems. Opening of the park Though geological surveys in the region began as early as the 1930s, the site was officially opened as a fossil park in 2002. A major Canadian-led workshop in December 2002 brought 42 scientists from around the globe, including renowned geologist H. J. Hoffman. He called the fossils 'beautiful and clear'. Eco-Tourism hub The Uttar Pradesh government has actively funded the site. The government has approved INR 1.5 crores for visitor amenities. It includes nature trails, security, and interpretive centers. An MoU with Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow has supported scientific documentation, leading to UNESCO Tentative List submission by June 2025. A dossier for final UNESCO candidacy is being prepared by local authorities which will be prepared by 2026. The fossil park is about 12 km from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra district and can be easily reached via SH‑5A. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
News18
23-06-2025
- News18
UP's Salkhan Fossils Park Gains Global Spotlight With UNESCO Heritage Sites Nomination
Last Updated: The park's inclusion on UNESCO's official website highlights its global importance, showcasing some of the earliest known evidence of life on Earth. Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district has gained international recognition as the Salkhan Fossils Park, dating back 1.4 billion years, has been added to UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. This is a significant step towards achieving full UNESCO World Heritage Site status, anticipated within the next two years. The park's inclusion on UNESCO's official website highlights its global importance, showcasing some of the earliest known evidence of life on Earth. State's Push for Global Eco-Tourism The state's Eco-Tourism Development Board, under the directives of the Chief Minister, is preparing a comprehensive dossier for submission to the Government of India. This nomination document will be crucial for the final bid to secure permanent recognition. Principal Secretary of Tourism Mukesh Meshram noted, 'This achievement is the result of the government's persistent efforts to bring Uttar Pradesh's natural heritage to the global forefront." This milestone comes shortly after the state introduced Vistadome coaches for scenic train journeys between Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Fossils from the Ancient Vindhyan Sea Salkhan Fossils Park, located near Salkhan village, about 15 km from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra, spans 25 hectares and houses exceptionally well-preserved stromatolites—layered microbial formations in sandstone—dating back around 1.4 billion years. These fossils were formed when the region was submerged under the ancient Vindhyan Sea. A significant step towards UNESCO nomination involved the signing of an MoU on June 26, 2024, between the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow. BSIP's scientific investigation confirmed the presence of stromatolites and blue-green algae fossils, reinforcing the park's case for global recognition. Scientific Significance and Global Comparisons Prof Vaibhav Srivastava from Banaras Hindu University's Department of Geology highlighted the scientific importance: 'Previously, it was believed that life did not exist before 570 million years ago. However, discoveries here and in Yellowstone National Park have reshaped that understanding. Salkhan's fossils represent one of the oldest signs of life ever discovered." Prof. Srivastava, who led a multinational geological team to the park in 2022, emphasised the educational and academic value of the site. 'It's a vital resource for the scientific community and students, offering a direct glimpse into Earth's history," he added. Geologist Prof M Sharma, former officiating director of BSIP, noted that stromatolites were first discovered at the site in 1933 by JB Auden of the Geological Survey of India. Sharma's team later confirmed the presence of akinetes—spores formed in hostile environments—indicating how ancient life survived in harsh conditions. 'These structures not only date back over a billion years, but they also reveal how life evolved under adversity," he said. Geologists Prof BP Singh and Prof Umashankar Shukla of BHU stated that since Auden's discovery, numerous global researchers have visited and studied the site, making it one of the most researched fossil beds in India. What Makes Salkhan Unique Globally Director of Tourism Prakhar Mishra outlined the procedural roadmap: 'Inclusion in the Tentative List is the initial step. Next, we submit a detailed dossier, followed by a UNESCO team's site inspection. We are aiming for final inscription within two years." He also mentioned a comparative study with other global fossil sites. 'While fossils at Yellowstone (USA) are around 500 million years old, Mistaken Point and Joggins Cliffs in Canada are about 550 and 310 million years old respectively. In contrast, Salkhan's stromatolites are 1.4 billion years old—making it one of the oldest bio-signature sites on Earth." On the Ground: Guarding Earth's Deep History Forest guard Shyam Sundar Gautam, who has been protecting the park for over two decades, recalled a team of scientists visiting in 2002. 'They informed us that the fossils were extremely old. Since then, I've been here 24/7 to guard them," he said. He observed that visitor numbers have grown from about 10 people a day to nearly 100, reflecting the increasing interest in this ancient site. Eco-Tourism Meets Education and Preservation Situated between the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Vindhya mountain range, the park blends scientific significance with natural beauty. Its inclusion in the UNESCO Tentative List not only underscores its geological importance but also promises to enhance Uttar Pradesh's status in the global eco-tourism arena. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : fossil Sonbhadra UNESCO Heritage site uttar pradesh Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: June 23, 2025, 17:31 IST News india UP's Salkhan Fossils Park Gains Global Spotlight With UNESCO Heritage Sites Nomination
