Salkhan Fossils Park Added to UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage List

Salkhan Fossils Park Added to UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage List

Why in News? 

Recently, Salkhan Fossils Park in Uttar Pradesh was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites for its ancient stromatolite fossils, highlighting its global geological significance toward its preservation and scientific recognition.

About Salkhan Fossils Park

• Location: 

• The park lies in Salkhan village, around 15 km from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. 

• • • It sits within the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, blending rugged hills and limestone terrain.
    • The protected area covers nearly 25 hectares in the Vindhyan hills.
    • Broad limestone beds stretch across open slopes and sparse vegetation.

• Features:

• • The site preserves stromatolite fossils formed by blue‑green algae. These fossils link directly to ancient microbial life from early Earth.
  • The fossils date back to the Proterozoic Eon. They belong to the Semri Group of the Vindhyan Supergroup sediments.
  • Researchers value Salkhan for its rich data on early oxygen‑producing organisms. 
  • The fossil beds lie within dry deciduous forest, grassland and scrub habitats.
  • The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department maintains the park under Kaimur sanctuary rules. 
  • It also falls under wildlife protection laws dating from 1972 and 1927.
  • The state government allotted ₹1.5 crore for visitor amenities, trails and safety.
  • The park supports educational tourism and eco‑friendly outreach.

Types of Salkhan Fossils Park Added to UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage List

• Conical and Columnar Stromatolites: These layered rock structures formed by cyanobacteria date back about 1.4 billion years during the Proterozoic Eon. They appear as stacked, cone-shaped mounds rising up to a meter. These fossils help scientists understand how ancient life shaped Earth’s early atmosphere, shedding light on the Great Oxidation Event.

• Domal and Stratiform Stromatolites: These smooth, layered stromatolites form in dome and sheet-like shapes and date to the same Proterozoic age (~1.4 Ga). They show multiple stromatolite growth patterns in a single area. Their variety reflects different water depths and environmental settings of early Earth.

• Microfossils: The park contains microfossils, which are microscopic remnants of ancient organisms. These are found in black cherty bands inside stromatolite layers. They include at least 14 genera and 21 species, plus several unnamed forms.

• Dense Chert Layers: These are solid sheets of silica-rich rock deposited before, within, or after stromatolite growth. The dense, black cherts and variegated bands preserve organic matter and microstructures. These beds act as protective layers that preserved microscopic cellular fossils.

What is UNESCO’s Tentative List?

• • Introduction:
    • The UNESCO Tentative List represents a country’s carefully chosen inventory of its most significant cultural or natural sites considered for future World Heritage nomination. 
    • UNESCO requires each site to appear on this list before formal nomination begins.
    • It helps each country plan for long-term conservation and international recognition.

• Criteria:

• • • Sites on the Tentative List must meet at least one of UNESCO’s ten criteria for Outstanding Universal Value.
    • These criteria assess elements such as cultural mastery, ecological processes, or geological importance.

• Process:

• • • National authorities evaluate potential sites using standardized UNESCO formats.
    • They gather data on site boundaries, significance, conservation status, and stakeholder support.
    • Governments may revise or update their lists at any time; a full review is encouraged at least every ten years.
      • UNESCO offers voluntary Upstream Process guidance on a site’s suitability before formal nomination.

• Final Nomination:

• • After staying on the Tentative List for at least one year, a country becomes eligible to start the nomination process for UNESCO World Heritage status.
  • The country must prepare a detailed nomination dossier that presents the site’s universal value.
  • After submission, the World Heritage Centre forwards the dossier to expert advisory bodies such as ICOMOS for cultural sites and IUCN for natural properties.
  • Then, the World Heritage Committee, which includes 21 member states elected by the UNESCO General Assembly, meets once a year to examine these nominations.
  • Once a site joins the official World Heritage List, it gains international status, which brings attention, and support for conservation.

India’s Current UNESCO Tentative List (2025)

• India has compiled 63 sites on its UNESCO Tentative List as of June 2025, covering outstanding universal value.
• Six new properties were included in March 2025:
  • Kanger Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh)
  • Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs (Telangana)
  • Ashokan Edict Sites along Mauryan Routes (multi-state)
  • Chausath Yogini Temples (multi-state)
  • Gupta Temples in North India (multi-state)
  • Palace‑Fortresses of the Bundelas (Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh)
• The Tentative List features both cultural landmarks—monuments, temples, megaliths—and natural landscapes such as national parks.
• The serial nominations—like Ashokan edicts and Gupta temples—span across northern, central, eastern, and southern India.

Government Initiatives for UNESCO Recognition

• Heritage City Development (HRIDAY): The Ministry of Culture launched HRIDAY on 21 January 2015. It prepared heritage-sensitive infrastructure in 13 cities, including Puri. This scheme provided ₹500 crore to revitalize temples, ghats, roads, sanitation, and visitor services.

• National Mission on Monuments & Antiquities (NMMA): The Ministry of Culture created NMMA in 2007. It documents built heritage and antiquities across India. By 2016, NMMA recorded 3.15 lakh heritage sites and over 14 lakh antiquities.

• Project Mausam for Maritime Heritage: Launched in April 2014 by the Ministry of Culture. It revives maritime cultural links across Indian Ocean nations. It involves ASI, IGNCA, and National Museum. It documents trade ports, sea routes, and coastal communities.

Support and Funding: Annual conservation funding for ASI‑managed sites rose from ₹269.57 crore in 2021‑22 to ₹443.53 crore in 2023‑24. A budget of ₹73.36 crore was allocated by mid‑July 2024. This financial aid demonstrates national commitment to heritage upkeep.