THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Varkala is set for global renown, with its unique natural heritage site making it to the Tentative List of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites.
Famous for its red laterite cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea, Varkala is the only site from Kerala to feature among the seven new Indian entries under the Natural Heritage category. The announcement was made by the Permanent Delegation of India to Unesco in Paris, marking a major milestone for Kerala. If approved, Varkala will join the ranks of Unesco World Heritage sites.
Natural heritage sites from across the country such as the Deccan Traps in Maharashtra, St Mary’s Island in Karnataka, and the Meghalayan Age Caves are some of the latest additions to the tentative list.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) began groundwork for the recognition in 2012, and Varkala was declared a geo-heritage site in 2014.
“The site has now been included in the Natural Heritage category, which emphasises its geographic and geological significance,” said V Ambili, Deputy Director General of GSI Kerala unit.
‘Unesco team will visit site for evaluation process’
“Preservation and conservation will be of utmost importance as unchecked development could jeopardise its future,” said Ambili.
The GSI had hoped that Varkala would be considered in the mixed category — the Natural and Cultural Heritage category. “This is a remarkable achievement. But the chances to get the status would have been high if it was included in the mixed category,” said Ambili.
Ambili noted that the state government and Varkala municipality have a crucial role to play in securing the Unesco tag for Varkala.
Meanwhile, the GSI is set to launch another study of the Varkala cliffs next month to develop methodologies and recommendations for protecting the fast-eroding cliff.
“This is going to be a huge challenge for the government. The GSI will extend all possible support to the conservation and preservation initiatives. We will suggest conservation methodologies and the state government will have to implement them,” Ambili said.
Getting the Unesco World Heritage Tag is going to be a huge process. “A Unesco team will also visit the site as part of the evaluation process. With six other Indian sites competing for recognition, the race for World Heritage status is expected to be intense,” said Ambili.
With the addition of seven more sites, India now has 69 properties on Unesco’s tentative list — 49 under cultural, three under mixed, and 17 under natural categories.
Seven in Unesco list
Seven properties from India in the tentative list under the Natural Heritage category
Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra)
Geological Heritage of St Mary’s Island Cluster (Udupi, Karnataka)
Meghalayan Age Caves (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya)
Naga Hill Ophiolite (Kiphire, Nagaland)
Natural Heritage of Erra Matti Dibbalu (Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh)
Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh).
Natural heritage of Varkala (Kerala)