Types of World Heritage SitesCultural, Natural and Mixed sites
- Cultural heritage sites include hundreds of historic buildings and town sites, important archaeological sites, and works of monumental sculpture or painting.
- Natural heritage sites are restricted to those natural areas that (1) furnish outstanding examples of Earth’s record of life or its geologic processes, (2) provide excellent examples of ongoing ecological and biological evolutionary processes, (3) contain natural phenomena that are rare, unique, superlative, or of outstanding beauty, or (4) furnish habitats for rare or endangered animals or plants or are sites of exceptional biodiversity.
- Mixed heritage sites contain elements of both natural and cultural significance.
- India has 37 World Heritage Sites as follows:
CULTURAL SITES
Under Protection of Archaeological Survey of India –
- Agra Fort (1983) – Uttar Pradesh
- Ajanta Caves (1983) – Maharashtra
- Ellora Caves (1983) – Maharashtra
- Taj Mahal (1983) – UP
- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
- Sun Temple, Konarak (1984) – Odisha
- Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
- Fatehpur Sikri (1986) – UP
- Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986) – Karnataka
- Khajuraho, Group of Temples (1986) – Madhya Pradesh
- Elephanta Caves ( 1987) – Maharashtra
- Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram (1987 & 2004) – Tamil Nadu
- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987) – Karnataka
- Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) – Madhya Pradesh
- Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
- Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
- Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) – Madhya Pradesh
- Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park (2004) – Gujarat
- Red Fort Complex, Delhi (2007)
- Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer and Ranthambhore, Amber and Gagron Forts) (2013) (Amber and Gagron Forts are under protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums)
- Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan (2014) – Ahmedabad
- Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda (2016) – Bihar
Under Protection of Ministry of Railways
- Mountain Railways of India ( Darjeeling,1999), Nilgiri (2005), Kalka-Shimla(2008)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
Under Protection of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee
- Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, (2002) – Bihar
Under Protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums
- The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
Under Protection of Chandigarh Administration
- The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
Under Protection of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
- Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017)
Under Protection of Bombay Municipal Corporation
- Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai (2018)
NATURAL SITES
Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes
- Kaziranga National Park (1985) – Assam
- Keoladeo National Park (1985) – Rajasthan
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985) – Assam
- Sunderbans National Park (1987) – West Bengal
- Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005) – Uttarakhand
- Western Ghats (2012) – Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu
- Great Himalayan National Park (2014) – Himachal Pradesh
MIXED SITE
Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes
- Khangchendzonga National Park (2016) – Sikkim