Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh Joins the Race for UNESCO World Heritage Status
Raipur (Chhatisgarh) : Chhattisgarh’s Kanger Valley National Park, located in Bastar, has been included in UNESCO’s tentative list for the 2025 World Heritage Sites. Recognized for its rich biodiversity and rare wildlife species, the park now has one year to submit a detailed proposal with supporting facts to secure the prestigious World Heritage status.
UNESCO has officially listed Kanger Valley in its tentative list on its website. This marks the first time that any site from Chhattisgarh has been given this opportunity. Spanning 200 square kilometers, Kanger Valley National Park is unique for multiple reasons.
The Road to UNESCO Recognition
Approximately two years ago, the then Director of Kanger Valley National Park, Ganveer Dhamshil, prepared and submitted the proposal for World Heritage Site status after nearly a year of research and collaboration with the Archaeology Department and other agencies.
UNESCO grants World Heritage status under three categories:
Natural Heritage
Cultural Heritage
Mixed Heritage
The proposal for Kanger Valley was submitted under the Natural Heritage category, and it has now been placed on the tentative list, a crucial first step toward full recognition.
What Makes Kanger Valley Special?
The park is home to rich biodiversity, including the Hill Myna, a bird known for its ability to mimic human speech. It also features 16 limestone caves, including Kotumsar Cave, which are millions of years old and still evolving due to ongoing limestone formations—something that sets them apart from other caves in India.
Additionally, the park is home to blind fish and several rare species of flora and fauna. The indigenous Dhurwa tribal community, which has preserved its ancient civilization for thousands of years, plays a key role in protecting the forest ecosystem.
With this inclusion in UNESCO’s tentative list, Chhattisgarh now has the opportunity to showcase Kanger Valley’s unique natural heritage on the global stage.
