As Climate Change Destroys Heritage Sites India and Worldwide, UNESCO Calls On Countries to Find Solutions

India is among those countries that take immense pride in its culture, history, and biodiversity. Rightly so, India is full of rich natural and civilisational history, and many parts of the country still hold sufficient evidence of this rich heritage. India’s heritage sites stand testimony to some of the most captivating chapters in Earth’s history.

Several such sites in India have even been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with more than 1000 sites across the globe. But time is ticking, and climate change may put a full stop to these chapters altogether by erasing the last few traces of this glorious past. Despite the protection, the sites face severe risks linked to climate change and may soon disintegrate entirely.

On World Heritage Day, we explain how climate is adversely impacting some of the heritage sites in India:

Rising sea levels, a rising risk to Sunderbans

In 1987, UNESCO designated the Sundarbans National Park as a World Heritage Site. Out of nearly 10,000 sq km, more than 4,000 sq km lies in India territories.

But the world’s largest mangrove forest—home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and ecologically unique biodiversity—has now succumbed to climate upheavals and unabated human greed, leaving the World Heritage Site gasping for life.

Concretisation for building resorts and real estate projects has disturbed the natural landscape. This, coupled with repetitive cyclones, has devastated Sundarbans and left the inhabitants of 54 islands (out of 102; the rest being reserve forests) in constant fear of losing their lives and livelihoods.

The impact of climate change is most severe in the Bengal delta region, where the sea level rise is the highest globally.

Climate change erasing the chapter of Elephanta Caves

Both the Gateway of India and the Elephanta Caves are huge tourist attractions, the latter being a part of UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. While it is a long understood fact that the rising sea level is posing a threat to the caves’ structure, the oil pollution and plastic debris present in the Arabian Sea are choking the growth of the mangroves present in the vicinity of the Elephanta Islands.

Unfortunately, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is supposed to protect them, seems to turn a blind eye to the gradual but visible degradation of the spectacular caves.

Wrath of pollution and discolouration of Taj Mahal

India’s most romantic architectural landmark has also been facing environmental threats to its integrity for years. Despite regulations placing limits on nearby factories, severe air pollution has tinted the white marble yellow, and water pollution from the Yamuna River has turned the marble green, thereby staining the monument’s beauty.

India’s Supreme Court has been active over the past thirty years in attempting to mitigate and reverse the damage to the Taj Mahal, but alas, the efforts have been unsuccessful.

Currently, the only solution that seems to be slowing down the wrath of pollution is the air purifiers installed by the UP government.

Dampened spirits for Old Goa’s historical monuments

The increased precipitation over the years and resulting flooding are damaging Old Goa’s historical monuments, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Panaji and Safa Masjid in Ponda. The Basilica walls remain strikingly damp even during months of dry days. And now, unsustainable development on hillslopes has depleted the green cover, thereby changing the hydrology and adding to the problem in these areas.

Around 50km from the state capital lies the famous 11th Century Mahadev temple at Tambdi Surla, which is facing a similar problem and bearing the brunt of rising dampness every year.

Hydrogeological studies around these areas will be crucial to channel the water runoffs and minimise flooding to protect the sites from further damage.

Climate change has left no stone unturned in its attempts to destroy our planet. Across the world, hundreds of UNESCO World Heritage properties are at risk for the same reason. As per UNESCO, engaging with local communities and the private sectors is key to securing broader and longer-term support in the management and sustainable development of these World Heritage Sites.