The Importance Of World Heritage Sites

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Introduction

World Heritage Areas embody the diversity of the planet, and the achievements of its peoples. They are places of beauty and wonder; mystery and grandeur; memory and meaning. In short, they represent the best Earth has to offer. The pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal are some of the most outstanding examples of humanity’s cultural achievements. The Great Barrier Reef, the Galápagos Islands and Serengeti National Park are among the world’s greatest natural treasures. All of these places are on the World Heritage List.
To be included on the World Heritage List, properties must be of outstanding universal value; and meet at least one of ten selection criteria. ‘Universal …show more content…

Several publications and manuals have been developed over the years for guidance on sound management of World Heritage properties, both general guidelines, specialised guidelines that cover particular areas of concern for the management plan and specialised approaches from the perspective of specific disciplines or fields of study. Some of the guidelines apply to both cultural and natural properties are: General guidelines:

• IUCN, 2008. Management Planning for Natural World Heritage Properties: a Resource Manual for Practitioners.
• Ringbeck, B., 2008. Management Plans for World Heritage Sites: a practical guide. Bonn, German Commission for UNESCO.
• UNESCO, 2012. Managing Natural World Heritage. World Heritage Resource Manual. Paris: UNESCO. Specialised guidelines:
• UNESCO, 2010. Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage.
• IUCN, 2011. Sustainable Tourism and Natural World Heritage: priorities for action Chapter 2 Application to real-time …show more content…

Therefore, the content and structure of the management plan is largely dependent on the nature of the site. It is also shaped by the management system within which it is developed and the resources available for its framing and scope. As stated in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention: ‘an effective management system depends on the type, characteristic and needs of the nominated property and its cultural and natural context. Management systems may vary according to different cultural perspectives, the resources available and other

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