UNESCO Tentative List: Baratang, Andaman volcanoes, Sirpur in; India at 81
Why in the news
Three Indian sites, two in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and one in Chhattisgarh, were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, as announced on 21 October 2026. India’s list now has 81 entries.
Key facts
- Baratang Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex (A&N): limestone caves and active mud volcanoes, locally called “Jalki”, which release cool mud, water and gases such as methane rather than magma.
- Andaman Subduction Volcanoes (Narcondam and Barren Islands): the only Quaternary subduction volcanoes in the inner volcanic arc of the Burma-Andaman-Java complex. Barren Island is South Asia’s only active volcano.
- Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape (Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh): a nationally protected monument on the eastern bank of the Mahanadi, 78 km from Raipur, linked with the Sharabhapuriya and Panduvamshi dynasties of ancient Kosala. Its stromatolite rocks were used as building stone.
- The submissions were sent by India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO on 28 September; PIB Culture announced the additions on X.
| Site | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Baratang Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Natural |
| Andaman Subduction Volcanoes | Narcondam and Barren, A&N | Natural |
| Sirpur Landscape | Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh | Cultural and archaeological |
About the Tentative List
A Tentative List is a country’s inventory of sites it may nominate for World Heritage status. A site must be on this list before it can be formally nominated for inscription.
Exam angle
- Count: 78 to 81 sites on India’s Tentative List.
- Barren Island is South Asia’s only active volcano; Narcondam rises to 710 m.
- Sirpur sits on the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh.