India has achieved a milestone in global heritage preservation with the addition of seven natural sites to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, News9, a partner of TV BRICS, reports.

The move raises India’s total properties under consideration from 62 to 69, comprising 49 cultural, 17 natural, and 3 mixed sites.

The newly recognised locations span millions of years of Earth’s history and highlight India’s unique geological wealth.

They include the Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, among the best-preserved lava flows in the world.

St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka, is famed for rare basaltic columnar formations dating back 85 million years.

Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya, the global reference site for the Meghalayan Age of the Holocene Epoch,

Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland, is a rare exposure of oceanic crust thrust onto a continental landmass.

Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh formations offering clues to past climates.

Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh, featuring the Eparchaean Unconformity and the Silathoranam natural arch.

Varkala Cliffs, Kerala coastal cliffs revealing Mio-Pliocene formations and unique erosional features.

Officials emphasised that these additions represent the first stage in the process of nomination for full UNESCO World Heritage status, a distinction that would provide global recognition and enhanced protection.

Experts note that the inclusion of these sites underscores India’s twin commitment, which is conserving irreplaceable geological treasures while promoting awareness of the planet’s natural history.

Beyond their scientific importance, many of the locations also carry cultural, ecological, and touristic value. 

(TV BRICS/NAN)