Context

UNESCO World Heritage Day 2019: In the year 1982, the International Council on Monuments and Sites declared 18^thApril as World Heritage Day to raise awareness about monuments and other sites which form a part of our history and culture.

About

• UNESCO approved of this day in the year 1983 and since then the day is dedicated to informing people about the sites which have achieved the status of heritage, their importance and the problems involved in protecting these sites.
• World heritage day also aims to seek recognition for the people involved in preserving these sites, especially scientists, archaeologists, geographers and engineers.
• World Heritage site is a natural or man-made site, area, or structure recognized as being of outstanding international importance and therefore as a deserving special protection. Sites are nominated to and designated by the World Heritage Convention (an organization of UNESCO).
• In 2019, the theme is Rural Landscapes – which is linked to the theme of the 2019 ICOMOS (The International Council on Monuments and Sites Scientific Symposium on Rural heritage to take place in October in Marrakesh, Morocco.
• UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to :
• Encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage;
• Encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List;
• Encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites;
• Help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training;
• Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger;
• Support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation;
• Encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage;
• Encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural and natural heritage.
• Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites :
• Angkor Wat : The largest religious temple in the world, Angkor Wat was originally dedicated to Hindu deity Vishnu but then was transformed into a Buddhist temple by the end of the twelfth century.
• Machu Pichu : Located in Peru, Machu Pichu is located at 8000 ft with a natural beauty which is unparalled.
• Taj Mahal : Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India which was built by emperor Shah Jahan to his honour his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
• Sigiriya : Located near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka, the Sigiriyan lion rock is a fortress and temple complex build atop a volcanic plateau and is truly a sight to behold.
• Cinque Terre : Located in Italy, the name of this site translates to ‘Five Lands’ and is a part of the rugged Italian coastline.