Seven Indian Natural Sites Added to UNESCO’s Tentative List

Site

State

Description

Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar

Maharashtra

• It is home to some of the best-preserved and studied lava flows in the world.
• These sites form part of the massive Deccan Traps and are located within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary – It is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster

Karnataka

• It is Known for its rare columnar basaltic rock formations.
• This island cluster dates back to the Late Cretaceous period, offering a geological snapshot from around 85 million years ago.

Meghalayan Age Caves

Meghalaya

• The cave systems of Meghalaya, particularly the Mawmluh Cave, serve as the global reference point for the Meghalayan Age of the Holocene Epoch.
• It reflecting significant climatic and geological transitions

Naga Hill Ophiolite

Nagaland

• It is a rare exposure of ophiolite rocks.
• These hills represent oceanic crust uplifted onto continental plates.
• Its offerings a deep insight into tectonic processes and mid-ocean ridge dynamics.

Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills)

Andhra Pradesh

• It is a visually striking red sand formation located near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• It showcases unique paleo-climatic and coastal geomorphological features that reveal Earth’s climatic history and dynamic evolution.

Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills

Andhra Pradesh

• Featuring the Eparchaean Unconformity and the iconic Silathoranam (Natural Arch).
• This site holds immense geological significance, representing over 1.5 billion years of Earth’s history.

Varkala Cliffs

Kerala

• It refers to the scenic cliffs along Kerala’s coastline that expose the Warkalli Formation of the Mio-Pliocene age.
• It features natural springs and striking erosional landforms, offering both scientific and touristic value.