World Heritage Day-18 April

Why in News?

World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on 18 April.
- It is officially called the International Day of Monuments and Sites.
Theme of World Heritage Day 2025 - Heritage at risk from disasters and conflicts: preparedness and learning from 60 years of ICOMOS actions.

History of World Heritage Day

On 18 April 1982, the 'International Council of Monuments and Sites' celebrated World Heritage Day for the first time in Tunisia.
A year later, in November 1983, UNESCO approved celebrating Monument Day as World Heritage Day.
After that, World Heritage Day started being celebrated all over the world on 18 April every year.

To promote the protection and preservation of cultural heritage.
To understand the importance of historical buildings, monuments and sites around the world.
To create awareness about threats that may damage heritage sites.
To develop a sense of respect and responsibility towards heritage in the younger generation.

These are divided into cultural, natural and mixed categories.
These sites are identified by UNESCO on the basis of their historical, cultural, architectural and natural significance.
Currently there are a total of 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Initially declared:
- Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra), 1983
- Ellora Caves (Maharashtra), 1983
Recently declared:
- Moidam – Mound-Mound System of Ahom Dynasty (Assam) 2024
- Hoysala Group of Temples – Belur, Halebid and Somnathpur (Karnataka) 2023
- Santiniketan (West Bengal) 2023