Source: TH
Context:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in its World Heritage Outlook 4 (2025) report, has placed Western Ghats, Manas National Park, and Sundarbans National Park under the “Significant Concern” category due to rising ecological pressures.
About the IUCN World Heritage Outlook:
- Published every 3–4 years, it assesses the conservation status of natural World Heritage sites.
- Evaluates 63 Asian sites under four categories: Good, Good with Some Concerns, Significant Concern, and Critical.
- The share of sites under “Significant Concern” has increased from 26% (2020) to 30% (2025), reflecting rising threats from climate change, tourism, and invasive species.
Indian Sites under Significant Concern:
| Site | Location | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Western Ghats | Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Loss of evergreen forests (−5%), urbanisation, tourism, infrastructure projects |
| Manas National Park | Assam (India–Bhutan transboundary) | Habitat degradation, poaching, flood damage, invasive species |
| Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal (India–Bangladesh transboundary) | Climate change, sea-level rise, erosion, tourism pressure |
Other Observations:
- Out of 7 Indian natural World Heritage sites:
- 1 site (Khangchendzonga NP, Sikkim) – Good
- 4 sites (Kaziranga, Nanda Devi, Valley of Flowers, Keoladeo, Great Himalayan NP) – Good with Some Concerns
- 3 sites (Western Ghats, Manas, Sundarbans) – Significant Concern
- Top threats: Climate change has overtaken hunting, followed by tourism and invasive species.
- Infrastructure risks: Roads and railways have emerged as key threats, causing habitat fragmentation and wildlife mortality.
