Two Natural Heritage Sites of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List
Sri Vijaya Puram/Lucknow, Oct. 22: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have achieved a significant milestone in securing global recognition for their unique natural heritage. Two important natural heritage sites of the archipelago — the Baratang Karst-Mud Volcano Complex and the Andaman Subduction Volcanic Group — have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
Expressing happiness over this achievement, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, said that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, efforts to preserve and promote the natural wealth of the Islands and develop them as a world-class tourism destination have received continuous impetus.
Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor stated that the inclusion of these sites in UNESCO’s Tentative List highlights the international significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ exceptional geological formations, biodiversity and natural heritage. This achievement marks an important step towards securing World Heritage status for these sites in the future.
Three new sites from India have been included in UNESCO’s Tentative List. These comprise two natural heritage sites from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the cultural and archaeological landscape of Sirpur in Chhattisgarh.
The Baratang Karst-Mud Volcano Complex is renowned for its distinctive limestone caves and natural mud volcano formations. These geological features provide important evidence of the region’s geological processes and natural evolution.
Similarly, the Andaman Subduction Volcanic Group comprises Barren Island and Narcondam Island. Barren Island is known for being home to India’s only confirmed active volcano, while Narcondam Island holds special significance for its unique biodiversity and endemic species.
The Permanent Delegation of India submitted proposals concerning these sites to UNESCO on September 28, 2026, and they have now been included in the World Heritage Tentative List.
The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor said that this achievement would provide fresh direction to efforts aimed at the scientific documentation, conservation and promotion of the Islands’ invaluable natural heritage. It would also strengthen opportunities for promoting sustainable and responsible tourism in harmony with environmental conservation.
Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that coordinated efforts by the concerned institutions and departments would facilitate effective initiatives towards securing the inclusion of these sites in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in the future.