Chapter 4.3 – World Heritage
A World Heritage site is a landmark that is either of natural or cultural importance or even both. Such sites are determined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) which started protecting such sites in the 1950s. Sites are elected by Advisory Bodies that consist of the International Council on monuments and the World Conservation Union. As of 2009, there are 890 such sites all over the world in five geographic zones. These are Africa, Arab States, Asia Pacific (including Australia and Oceania), Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Unfortunately, many of them are endangered due to war, earthquakes, urbanisation as well as pollution and rain.
heritage : that which is valued because of historical / natural / cultural importance
characteristics: distinguishing features or qualities
scores of : plenty of, many of
artefacts : any objects made by a human being
dismantling : disassembling, pulling down
initiated : began, started
inventory : a detailed list
recommendations: suggestions, proposals
criteria : fixed basis to judge
to inscribe : to print, to write or to engrave
territory : region
urbanization : the process of including more areas in cities, expanding city area
allocate : assign
Warming up!
1. Pair up with your partner and answer the following questions.
(a) Do you like to travel ?
Ans: Yes
(b) Where have you travelled?
Ans: Most of the hill stations of India, and some of the beaches of India.
(c) Have you heard about the wonders of the world?
Ans: Yes, there are seven of them.
(d) Have you heard about UNESCO?
Ans: Yes, it is an international body working under the United Nations.
(e) What does UNESCO stand for ?
Ans: UNESCO – stands for United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
(f) What is meant by Heritage ?
Ans: A country’s heritage is all the qualities, traditions or features of life that have continued over many years and have been passed on from one generation to another.
(g) Do you know of any Heritage building in your own city ?
Ans: Yes, many of them, V.T. Station now called CST Station, Prince of Wales Museum and Gateway of India to mention a few.
2. Your teacher will explain the ‘Heritage Cycle’.
- By understanding (cultural heritage) people value it.
- By valuing it people want to care for it.
- By caring for it, it will help people enjoy it.
- From enjoying it, comes a thirst to understand.
- By understanding it __________
Ans: Students should do this on their own.
3. Do you know the difference between:
(a) World Heritage
(b) Cultural Heritage
Refer to a dictionary / encyclopedia / reference book / the internet to get the detailed meaning.
Ans:
World Heritage – Is a natural or man-made area or structure recognised as being of outstanding international importance and therefore deserves protection. It includes both natural as well as cultural heritage.
Cultural Heritage – Is a place that is listed by UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance and is man made.
4. With the help of your partner complete the information in the table.
Ans:
5. Heritage Sites – Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top.
- Great Barrier Reef
- Mount Fuji
- Grand Canyon
- The Pyramids
- Panda Sanctuaries
- Machu Picchu
- Vatican City
- Great Wall of China
Ans:
(1) Machu Pichu
(2) Great Barrier Reef
(3) Vatican City
(4) Grand Canyon
(5) The Pyramids
(6) Mount Fuji
(7) Great Wall of China
(8) Panda Sanctuaries
In Between The LESSON
Q1. What significant aspects should a world heritage site have?
Ans: A world heritage site should have either natural or culturally significant aspects. They can also be a combination of both these aspects like the Huangshan mountain.
Q2. What do world heritage sites include?
Ans: World Heritage Sites include forest, lakes, monuments, buildings and cities.
Q3. Why did UNESCO launch an international campaign in 1959?
Ans: UNESCO launched an international campaign in 1959; to produce the tempts and artefacts that called for the dismantling and movement of the temple to higher ground.
Q4. Why did a White House Conference in the United States call for a ‘World Heritage Trust’?
Ans: The White House Conference in the United States called for a ‘World Heritage Trust’ to protect historic, cultural sites and also to protect the world’s significant natural and scenic sites.
Q5. What does the World Heritage Committee consist of?
Ans: The World Heritage Committee consists of representatives from 21 state parties that are elected for a six year term by the World Heritage Committee General Assembly.
Q6. What is the World Heritage Committee responsible for?
Ans: The World Heritage Committee meets once a year to review the recommendations and decide which sites will be added to the World Heritage List.
Q7. When was the convention concerning the protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage adopted and by whom?
Ans: The convention concerning the protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference on November 16, 1972.
Q9. Who makes recommendations to the World Heritage Committee?
Ans: The two Advisory Bodies consisting of the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the World Conservation Union make recommendations to the World Heritage Committee.
Q10. What is Peru’s Machu Picchu example of?
Ans: Peru’s Machu Picchu is an example of a mixed Heritage site.
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
1. Answer the following questions.
(a) What do heritage sites in the world include?
Ans: World Heritage Sites include forest, lakes, monuments, buildings and cities.
(b) What kind of sites are protected and maintained by the International World Heritage Programme?
Ans: Sites that have significant cultural or natural importance to humanity are protected and maintained by the International World Heritage Programme.
(c) How many World Heritage Sites are there around the world?
Ans: 890
(d) What is the role of World Heritage Committees ?
Ans: The World Heritage Committee meets once a year and resources the recommendations and decides which sites will be added to the World Heritage List.
(e) What is the tenure of the World Heritage Committee ?
Ans: A period of six years.
(f) What are our duties towards preservation /conservation of any historical site ?
Ans: Our duty is to protect these sites and make people aware that it is our heritage and tourists of the world come to see and appreciate it, so they need to be preserved and protected.
(g) Why should we preserve the World Heritage Sites ?
Ans: We should preserve the World Heritage Sites so that the future generation can see and know about their past, the glorious past where people have constructed monuments, or understand how the natural landscape has occurred due to physical or geographical factors.
(h) What is the role of World Heritage Sites in developing tourism in any country?
Ans: The World Heritage Sites Committee has different plans, to protect and/or restore the sites. It can also allocate resources from the fund to this site. It makes people aware of their sites and provides information about them on the website so that tourists are eager and interested to visit them.
2. Complete the following.
Ans:
3. Complete the following by giving reasons why World Heritage Sites are in danger.
Ans:
4. Choose the correct alternative and complete the given sentences.
(a) Mount Huangshan is situated in ________.
(i) Japan
(ii) China
(iii) Philippines
Ans: Option (ii) : China
(b) The famous dam situated in Egypt on River Nile is ________.
(i) Buzwaa High Dam
(ii) Rizwa High Dam
(iii) Aswan High Dam
Ans: Option (iii) : Aswan High Dam
(c) The conference based on Human Environment was held at ________.
(i) Athens, Greece
(ii) Moscow, Russia
(iii) Stockholm, Sweden
Ans: Option (iii) : Stockholm, Sweden
(d) The highest number of World Heritage Sites are located in ________.
(i) France
(ii) Italy
(iii) Germany
Ans: Option (ii) : Italy
(e) ________ can delete/exclude a site from World Heritage list.
(i) World Heritage Committee
(ii) World Peace Committee
(iii) World Health Committee.
Ans: Option (i) : World Heritage Committee
(f) The tenure of World Heritage Committee is ________ years.
(i) Four
(ii) Five
(iii) Six.
Ans: Option (iii) : Six
5. Match the pairs to define different roles of the World Heritage Sites.
Ans: (i – b), (ii – h), (iii – g), (iv – c), (v – i), (vi – f), (vii – e), (viii – d), (ix – a)
6. Look at the words and their meanings. Choose the correct alternative.
(a) determine :
(i) think over
(ii) decide
(iii) ask for
(iv) look over
Ans: Option (ii) : decide
(b) monument :
(i) statue
(ii) pillar
(iii) memorial
(iv) fort
Ans: Option (iii) : memorial
(c) significant :
(i) clever
(ii) effective
(iii) systematic
(iv) important
Ans: Option (iv) : important
(d) disaster :
(i) problem
(ii) incident
(iii) calamity
(iv) accident
Ans: Option (iii) : calamity
7. Find from the text minimum 8 words related to cultural heritage and make a word register. Arrange them in alphabetical order.
Ans:
(1) Artefacts.
(2) Chinese art and literature.
(3) Creation.
(4) Historic cultural sites.
(5) Mount Huangshan.
(6) Scenic sites.
(7) Temples.
(8) World, Cultural and Natural Heritage.
8. Complete the following information from the text.
Ans:
9. Write a report on any tourist place /historical place / World Heritage Site you recently visited using the points given below.
(i) Title
(ii) Place / Location
(iii) Background/History
(iv) Features / Specialities
(v) Security policies
(vi) Sign boards and discipline
(vii) Overall scenario.
Ans:
THE BEAUTIFUL ELLORA CAVES
Mumbai, 10th March 2018: We recently got an opportunity to visit the enchanted Ellora cave. Located in Maharashtra, and very close to Mumbai near Aurangabad. They are a feast to the human eye. The Ellora caves are one of the largest rock-cut monastery, temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments and art works dating from the 600-1000 CE period.
Cave 16 features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world. These caves are carved out of the volcanic basalt formation of Maharashtra; known as ‘The Deccan Trap”.
They give a lot of information about the three religious background i.e. Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.
There are many sign boards put up by the Archaeological Survey of India – stating that they were painted between the 2nd century B.C and 6th century A.D. They are also under the maintenance of the archaeological survey of India; after the reorganization of states.
Citizens of India and visitors from SAARC nations have to pay an entrance fee of Rs. 30/-, others pay Rs. 500/- per head. Children upto 15 years of age are allowed free entry.
They are open to all from sunrise to sunset, except on Tuesday. It was very interesting to visit these caves.
10. (A) Use ‘not only but also’ in the following sentences.
(a) UNESCO and the International Council on monuments initiated a draft convention to create an international organisation responsible for protecting cultural heritage.
Ans: Not only UNESCO, but also the International Council on monuments, initiated a draft convention to create an international organisation responsible for protecting cultural heritage.
(b) The state parties are responsible for identifying and nominating new sites.
Ans: The state parties are responsible for not only identifying but also nominating new sites.
(c) Opera House in Australia and the Historic Center of Vienna in Austria are cultural sites of World Heritage.
Ans: Not only Opera House in Australia but also the Historic Center of Vienna in Austria are cultural sites of the World Heritage.
(d) World Heritage Sites can also be a combination of both cultural and natural areas.
Ans: World Heritage Sites can be a combination of not only cultural but also natural areas.
(B) Rewrite the following sentences replacing ‘as soon as’ by ‘No sooner than’ [Note : The phrase, ‘No sooner’ must always be followed by an auxiliary (helping verb)]
For example : As soon as he came, they all gave an applause.
No sooner did he come, than they all gave an applause.
(a) As soon as the Bill is passed, it will become an Act.
Ans: No sooner is the Bill passed, than it will become an Act.
(b) As soon as the thief escaped, the family informed the police.
Ans: No sooner did the thief escape, than the family informed the police.
(c) As soon as you have finished, you can submit your answer- papers.
Ans: No sooner have you finished, than you can submit your answer – papers.
(d) As soon as they can manage, they should change their house.
Ans: No sooner can they manage,than they should change their house.
(e) As soon as the bell rings, the School Assembly will start.
Ans: No sooner will the bell ring, than the School Assembly will start.
11. Identify whether the following sentences are Simple(One Subject + One Predicate or Complex (One Main Clause + One or more Dependent Clauses) or Compound (Combination of 2 or more Independent / Co-ordinate Clauses).
(1) They vary in type but they include forests, monuments etc.
Ans: Compound sentence
(2) The mountain is significant because of its characteristics.
Ans: Complex sentence
(3) To protect the temples and artefacts, UNESCO launched an international campaign.
Ans: Simple sentence
(4) If the site meets with this criteria, it can be inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Ans: Complex sentence
(5) There are 890 World Heritage Sites that are located in 148 countries.
Ans: Complex sentence
(6) The project cost about US $ 80 million and $ 40 million came from 50 different countries.
Ans: Compound sentence
12. Following are the ways to preserve ‘World Heritage Sites.’ Transfer these points into a small paragraph. Suggest a title.
- Practical conservation of posterity
- Human / animal trespassing to be prohibited
- Monitored / controlled / restricted access
- Threat of local administrative negligence to be removed
Ans: Sites are demarcated by UNESCO as protected zones.
A site may be added to the list of ‘World Heritage in Danger’, If there are conditions that threaten the characteristics for which the landmark or area was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Such problems may involve armed conflict and war, natural disasters, pollution, poaching or uncontrolled urbanization or human development.
The danger list is intended to increase international awareness of the threats and to encourage counteractive measures. Threats to a site can be either proven imminent threats or potential dangers that could have adverse effects
on a site.
The state of conservation for each site on the danger list is reviewed on a yearly basis, after which the committee may request additional measures, delete the property from the list, if the threats have ceased or consider deletion from both the list of World Heritage Danger and the World Heritage List.
The first global assessment to quantitatively measure threats to Natural World Heritage sites found that 63% of sites have been damaged by increasing Human pressures, including encroaching roads, agriculture, infrastructure and settlement, over the last 2 decades. These activities are endangered. Natural World Heritage sites and could compromise their unique values.
13. Read the points given in column ‘A’ specifying Dos towards prevention of any historical site. Write Don’ts in column ‘B’ specifying things that should not be done.
Ans:
14. Complete the following flow chart by choosing the option given below to show how any site of any country can become a World Heritage Site.
Options :
(1) Inclusion of the name of site from tentative list to the nomination file.
(2) Name of the site is inscribed on the World Heritage List after meeting the criteria.
(3) Inclusion of the name of site for the nomination in a tentative list after an inventory in country or State.
(4) Decision of the World Heritage Committee after review of the nominated file.
(5) A review of the included file by the advisory bodies.
Ans:
15. Projects :
(a) Make a list of sites from our State which are included in the World Heritage Sites. Try to visit one of them. Write the importance of this World Heritage Site. Also write your impression of it in your notebook.
Ans: Students should do this on their own.
(b) Write a ‘tourism leaflet’ on any one of the following :
(i) Your hometown
(ii) A historical place
(iii) A place of natural beauty
(iv) A place of pilgrimage
Make use of the following points :
(i) How to reach there ?
(ii) Accommodation facilities
(iii) What to see and visit ? / Attractions of the place
(iv) Places of interest nearby
(v) Best time to visit
(vi) Shopping Attractions
Add your own points.
Ans: A place of natural beauty.
(i) How to reach there? (Mode of Transport)
Coorg lies in Karnataka – South India, about 252 kms from Bangalore. One can reach there by rail or road or by air upto Bangalore and then one can travel by car to Mysore. From Mysore it is 120 kms drive to Coorg.
Coorg is termed as ‘The Scotland of India’ and ‘The Kashmir of Karnataka.’
(ii) Accommodation facilities (Stay / board / lodge) :
There are many resorts like ‘Misty woods
Resort’, ‘Cliff Resort’ etc and many 5 star and 3 star hotels, but the best and the cheapest option is ‘Homestay’, The local people let out rooms to tourists with food and accommodation at reasonable rates.
(iii) What to see and visit? Attractions of the place.
One can book a car and see the beautiful places in Coorg like The Rajas seat, Mandalpatti View Point, Bylakuppe, Iruppa falls, Abbey falls, Chettalli and the beautiful wildlife places like Nisargadhama and The Magarholo National Park.
This place is famous for its scenic beauty, waterfalls, etc.
(iv) Places of interest nearby :
Nearby is Mysore, which is famous for its palace and The Brindavan gardens, which are lit up for The ‘Dassera Festival’.
(v) Best time to visit :
Coorg can be visited anytime of the year, but the best season to visit is between October and May. It enjoys tropical weather.
(vi) Shopping Attractions :
One can shop for honey, coffee, cardamom and other spices.
(vii) Personal observations :
The tribal life and culture of this place is unique. Its food is rich and spicy and the Coorg women are supposed to be the most beautiful women of our country. They have a unique way of dressing up their sarees. The people of this region do not sell their land to outsiders. They want to preserve their culture, beauty and tradition.
(c) Vocabulary Extension – Choose several words from the text. Use a dictionary or the internet to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
Ans: Students should do this on their own.
(d) World Heritage Sites – Make a poster about World Heritage Sites, specifying some details and specialities about each of them.
Ans: Students should do this on their own.
(e) Letter – Write a letter to an expert on the environment. Ask him/her five questions about your concern/doubts about World Heritage Sites. Give him/her three ideas on how to protect them.
Ans:
8, Mahalaxmi Apts,
Sachivalaya Road,
Veer Nariman Point,
Mumbai – 400021
10th March 2018.
To,
Mr. Swaminathan,
‘Friends of Trees’
Fort
Mumbai-400001
Sub : Protection of Rivers
Sir,
I wish to draw your attention to the popular ‘Ralley for Rivers’ movement which plans to clean up some of the rivers which are polluted.
The campaign led by the spiritual guru of the Isha Foundation aims at planting six crore saplings on the banks of the Narmada river in July this year.
At this point, I have a few doubts and concerns, which I plan to share with you. Does this project think about the sand mining mafia, pollution, deforestation and river interlinking? The concept that they seem to be after is mainly planting of
trees. What about cleaning the rivers?
I feel that rivers may gain, when trees help rainwater seep into the soil, but that requires planning and control on groundwater usage as well. Ban on borewells can also help in storage of underground water. Water budgeting can
calculate groundwater that is replenished and used.
The Rally for Rivers seems to be going in the other direction by suggesting to plant fruit trees. It needs to broaden its vision and include other factors also. With such a narrow vision, it may end up with what it begins with.
Kindly share your views on this.
Yours Sincerely,
X.Y.Z.
(f) Article – Write an article for a magazine about the World Heritage Sites at risk. Include imaginary interviews with people who are trying to save them. Read your article in front of your class.
Ans:
Monumental Mess
Mumbai 10th April, 2018: ‘An ancient great sharks tooth has been stolen from a world heritage site in Australia.
The Fossil which was not available to be viewed by tourists, is believed to have come from the Megalodon species that died 2.6 million years ago.’
‘Three European tourists expelled from UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Macchu Picchu’ over nude pictures.
Articles like the ones mentioned above appear on social media and newspapers drawing the attention of people all over the world at the vulnerability of heritage sites.
These sites need to be taken care of, protected and kept unharmed from the public. But what if they are destroyed like the Taj Mahal? It is turning greyish due to the chemical reaction on the Marble, inflicted on it by the Mathura Refinery located close by.
Are we doing all that is possible to protect our monuments, and historical/cultural sites, so that we can pass them on to the next generation? This is something that we have to think about and act on fast.
Reports
– By staff