World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS) was celebrated on April 18 with the theme “Heritage Changes’.
- World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on 18 April to preserve human heritage and to recognize all the efforts of relevant organisations.
- The theme this year ‘offers the opportunity to respond to questions regarding learning about traditional ways of knowing and knowledge systems in relation to climate action, and how to use a cultural heritage focus to support equitable protection of vulnerable communities through climate action, while responding to the UN Decade of Action.
- In 1982, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) announced 18 April as World Heritage Day.
- This was approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983, to enhance awareness about the importance of cultural heritage, and monuments and conserving them.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has a total of 1,154 monuments designated as world heritage sites from all over the world.
- Apart from India only Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France have 40 or more World Heritage sites.
