Culture 22 October 2026
Three Indian Sites Added to UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
Why in the News?
On October 20, 2026, the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO announced the inclusion of **three new properties** to the **UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List**, highlighting the country's rich geological and cultural diversity.
Key Features / Major Points:
- **1. Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang (Andaman & Nicobar Islands):**
- **Type:** Natural
- **Significance:** Features intricate limestone (karst) caves and rare mud volcanoes (locally called *Jalki*) that expel gas, mud, and water instead of lava.
- **2. Andaman Subduction Volcanoes (Barren and Narcondam Islands):**
- **Type:** Natural
- **Significance:** Showcases active tectonic subduction where the Indian Plate moves under the Burma microplate. **Barren Island** houses India's only confirmed active volcano.
- **3. Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape (Chhattisgarh):**
- **Type:** Cultural
- **Significance:** Situated on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Mahasamund district, it represents an ancient settlement featuring historic Hindu brick temples (like Lakshmana Temple), Buddhist monasteries, and Jain monuments dating from the 5th to 12th centuries.
Static GK Facts:
- UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France.
- Total UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India: India currently boasts 43 World Heritage Sites.
- Barren Island: Located in the Andaman Sea, it is South Asia's only confirmed active volcano.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: How many new Indian properties were recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List?
A: Three (3) properties
Q: Where is India's only confirmed active volcano located?
A: Barren Island (Andaman Sea)
Q: The historical Sirpur archaeological site is located on the banks of which river in Chhattisgarh?
A: Mahanadi River
Q: Where is the headquarters of UNESCO situated?
A: Paris, France
#UNESCO #TentativeList #AndamanAndNicobar #Chhattisgarh #Sirpur #CurrentAffairs #StaticGK