On April 18, India joins the global community in celebrating World Heritage Day 2025, emphasizing the protection of cultural and natural heritage. This year's theme, “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 years of ICOMOS Actions,” underscores the importance of safeguarding heritage sites against various threats.

India's journey in heritage preservation began in 1983 with the inclusion of Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Ajanta, and Ellora Caves in the UNESCO World Heritage List. As of October 2024, India boasts 43 World Heritage Sites, with the recent addition of “Moidams: The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” from Assam. Furthermore, 62 sites are on UNESCO’s Tentative List, reflecting India's rich cultural tapestry.

The government has initiated several programs to promote and protect heritage. The "Adopt A Heritage" scheme, revamped in 2023, encourages public-private partnerships to develop facilities at protected monuments. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has retrieved 655 antiquities from abroad since 1976, with 642 recovered post-2014. Additionally, the ASI's "Must-See" portal showcases nearly a hundred prominent sites, enhancing global visibility.

Significant infrastructure projects like the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, Mahakaal Lok in Ujjain, and Ma Kamakhya Corridor in Guwahati have revitalized key heritage sites. The inauguration of India's first Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar and a state-of-the-art museum at Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi further exemplify efforts to make heritage accessible and engaging.

In a notable achievement, three Indian literary works—Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayāloka-Locana—were inscribed into the 2024 Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) Regional Register, highlighting India's rich literary heritage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi aptly stated, “Heritage is not only history. Rather a shared consciousness of humanity.” As India observes World Heritage Day 2025, these words resonate, reminding citizens of the collective responsibility to preserve the nation's invaluable heritage for future generations.