World Heritage Day 2025: Focus on Disaster Preparedness and Conflict Resilience
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Day | World Heritage Day / International Day for Monuments and Sites |
| Date Observed | April 18 (every year) |
| Organized By | International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) |
| First Proposed | 1982 (by ICOMOS) |
| Recognized By | UNESCO in 1983 |
| 2025 Theme | "Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions" |
| Purpose | Promote awareness, sustainable tourism, and community participation in conservation |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India | Total: 43 (Cultural: 35, Natural: 7) |
| India's Global Rank | 6th globally in number of World Heritage Sites |
| First Indian Sites Inscribed (1983) | Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal |
| Recent Additions (2023-2024) | 2023: Santiniketan (West Bengal), Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (Karnataka) <br> 2024: Moidams of the Ahom Dynasty (Assam) |
| Top Indian UNESCO Sites | Taj Mahal, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Kaziranga National Park, Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Sun Temple, Konarak, Dholavira, Heritage City of Ahmedabad, Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments, Hampi, Western Ghats |
| Global UNESCO Mission | Promote peace through cultural heritage |
| World Heritage List | Over 1,100 sites across 167 countries |