World Heritage Sites are selected based on their outstanding
universal value and their significance to humanity. The selection process is
overseen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO).
The process for becoming a World Heritage Site typically
involves the following steps:
Submitting
a nomination: A country must first identify a site within its territory
that it believes meets the criteria for selection as a World Heritage
Site. The country must then submit a nomination to UNESCO, including a
detailed description of the site and its significance.
Evaluation
by UNESCO: UNESCO evaluates the nomination and determines whether the site
meets the criteria for selection as a World Heritage Site. This evaluation
is carried out by the World Heritage Committee, which is made up of
representatives from different countries.
Decision
by the World Heritage Committee: The World Heritage Committee makes the
final decision on whether to inscribe the site on the World Heritage List.
If the site is selected, it will be added to the list and will receive
protection and support from UNESCO.
The criteria for selection as a World Heritage Site are
divided into cultural and natural categories. To be considered for selection, a
site must meet one or more of the following criteria:
Cultural criteria:
Represent
a masterpiece of human creative genius.
Exhibit
an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a
cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology,
monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design.
Bear
a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a
civilization which is living or which has disappeared.
Be
an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or
technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant
stage(s) in human history.
Be
an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or
sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human
interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable
under the impact of irreversible change.
Be
directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with
ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding
universal significance.
Natural criteria:
Contain
superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and
aesthetic importance.
Be
outstanding examples representing major stages of Earth's history,
including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in
the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic
features.
Be
outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and
biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial,
freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and
animals.
Contain
the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ
conservation of biological diversity, including those containing
threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view
of science or conservation.
Overall, becoming a World Heritage Site is a prestigious and
highly selective process that recognizes the cultural and natural significance
of a site and aims to preserve it for future generations.