4.3 World Heritage - Class 10 - Kumarbharati

Aug 10
4 min read

Author: - (Informational Text)

Genre: Informative / Factual Passage

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Board: Maharashtra State Board

Summary

The lesson explains what World Heritage Sites are, their importance, and the role of UNESCO in preserving them. A World Heritage Site is a cultural or natural site of global significance, protected under the International World Heritage Programme. These sites can be natural wonders, cultural monuments, or a mix of both. The text traces the history of the programme, beginning with UNESCO’s 1959 campaign to save Egypt’s Abu Simbel temples from submersion due to the Aswan High Dam project. It describes the process of listing a site, the work of the World Heritage Committee, and examples of sites worldwide. It also explains the threats these sites face, such as war, urbanisation, pollution, and over-tourism, and emphasises the need for preservation to protect history, culture, and nature for future generations.

Theme / Central Idea

The central idea is to highlight the global responsibility to preserve cultural and natural heritage. By safeguarding these treasures, we ensure that they continue to inspire, educate, and benefit humanity.

Character Sketches

(Informative lessons don’t have characters, so key entities are described instead)

UNESCO

Global organisation promoting education, science, culture, and communication
Works through the World Heritage Committee to protect valuable sites
Launched successful campaigns like Abu Simbel’s preservation in Egypt
Sets selection criteria for World Heritage inscription

World Heritage Committee

Main decision-making body for site selection
Composed of 21 elected State Party representatives
Meets annually to review nominations and threats to sites
Allocates resources from the World Heritage Fund for preservation

Word Meanings

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Heritage	Valued due to historical, natural, or cultural importance
Artefacts	Objects made by humans, typically of historical value
Dismantling	Taking apart or disassembling
Criteria	Standards or principles for judgment
Tentative List	Initial list of potential World Heritage Sites in a country
Inventory	Detailed list or record
Urbanisation	Expansion of cities into rural areas
Allocate	Assign or distribute for a purpose
Inscribe	Officially record or write in a list
Conservation	Protection and maintenance of something valuable

Grammar Questions

Q1. Identify the infinitive: UNESCO works to protect cultural and natural heritage. → Infinitive: to protect – shows the purpose of UNESCO’s work.

Q2. Change to indirect speech: She said, “UNESCO protects heritage sites.” → She said that UNESCO protects heritage sites.

Q3. Identify the modal: We should preserve our heritage for future generations.

→ Modal: should – expresses duty or advice.

Q4. Rewrite in past perfect tense:

UNESCO launched a campaign to save the temples.

→ UNESCO had launched a campaign to save the temples.

Q5. Frame a Wh-question:

The World Heritage Committee meets once a year.

→ How often does the World Heritage Committee meet?

Personal Response Questions

Q1. Why should we preserve World Heritage Sites?

→ World Heritage Sites should be preserved because they represent irreplaceable cultural, historical, and natural treasures. Protecting them ensures that future generations can learn from and enjoy them, while also supporting tourism and local economies.

Q2. What role can individuals play in conserving heritage sites?

→ Individuals can help by following rules when visiting sites, avoiding littering or damage, supporting conservation programmes, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting heritage.

Q3. How does being a World Heritage Site benefit a location?

→ Being a World Heritage Site benefits a location by attracting global recognition, tourism, and funding for preservation, while also enhancing pride and responsibility in the local community.

True or False

The World Heritage Committee meets twice a year. → False
The Abu Simbel temples were saved from flooding by UNESCO’s campaign. → True
Machu Picchu is an example of a mixed heritage site. → True

Probable Board Questions

Q1. Describe the process of becoming a World Heritage Site.

→ The process begins with a country creating a Tentative List, then nominating sites. Advisory bodies review the nominations and make recommendations to the World Heritage Committee, which then decides if the site meets at least one selection criterion before adding it to the official list.

Q2. What threats endanger World Heritage Sites?

→ Threats include war, poaching, natural disasters, urbanisation, over-tourism, and pollution. These factors can damage or destroy the physical features and cultural value of sites.

Q3. How did the Abu Simbel project influence the creation of the World Heritage Convention?

→ The Abu Simbel project showed the need for international cooperation in heritage preservation. Its success inspired UNESCO and other bodies to establish the 1972 World Heritage Convention to protect cultural and natural treasures worldwide.

Q4. What is the role of the World Heritage Committee?

→ The World Heritage Committee identifies, evaluates, and inscribes new sites, monitors existing ones, and allocates resources for their preservation, ensuring they maintain their universal value.

Reflection Paragraph

World Heritage is an informative text that raises awareness about humanity’s shared responsibility to protect natural and cultural treasures. It explains the role of UNESCO and the processes involved in selecting and preserving sites. The lesson not only lists achievements but also warns about threats, motivating readers to take an active role in safeguarding heritage for future generations.

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