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Context :

Recently, Kanger Valley National Park has been added to the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites under the Natural Heritage category. This national park is in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

Key Points 

What are the UNESCO Criteria Fulfillment

KVNP qualified for the UNESCO listing based on the following 3 criteria:

1. Natural beauty  : landscapes, waterfalls & valleys.
2. Geological significance  : It includes unique rock formations & limestone caves.
3. Biodiversity  : The park has  rich flora & fauna including rare species.

What is Proposal Submission Process

• The Archaeological Survey of India submitted a proposal for KVNP. it is leading to its inclusion in the UNESCO tentative list.
• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) comes under the Ministry of Culture.

About Kanger Valley National Park :

Location

• It is situated in Jagdalpur Bastar district Chhattisgarh.
• It is also Situated along the Kholaba River. This is a tributary of Godavari River.
• The park is named after the Kanger River. Because it flows through it.
• It was Established as a national park in 1982.
• The park does not have a buffer zone & it is considered a core area.

Topography

• It also has diverse landscapes plateaus, valleys, steep slopes, & stream courses.
• limestone caves : Kutumbasar, Kailash, & Dandak. They are famous for stalactites and stalagmites.
  • Stalactites: Icicle shaped formations hanging from cave ceilings.
  • Stalagmites: Upward growing mineral deposits on cave floors.
• It also hosts Tirathgarh Waterfall. It is a major tourist attraction.
• There are a significant tribal population as well in the park.

Flora

• mixed humid deciduous forests.
• Major tree species : Sal, Saugaun, Teak, & Bamboo.

Fauna

• Mammals: Tigers, Mouse Deer, Leopards, Wildcat, Sambar, Chital, Barking Deer, Langurs, Jackals, Rhesus Macaque, Flying Squirrel.
• Aerial Fauna: Common Hill Myna, Red Jungle Fowl, Spotted Owlet, Racket Tailed Drongos & Parrots.

UNESCO’s Tentative List

• The Tentative List is an inventory of properties that each state party intends to consider for World Heritage Site nomination.
• According to UNESCO Operational Guidelines (2019), a site must be on the tentative list for at least 1 year before it is eligible for final nomination.
• After the final nomination it is sent to the World Heritage Centre (WHC) for review.

Source: Businessstandard