Santiniketan, Western Ghats named for Unesco listings

The cultural ministry recommended the inclusion of Santiniketan, the university town 180 km from Kolkata, under the cultural category, while the Western Ghats have been nominated under the natural category, according to the officials.

"Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) officials have already conducted their survey of Santiniketan," a cultural ministry official told IANS.
Tagore, who founded Visva Bharati at Santiniketan in 1901, lived and penned some of his literary classics in the university town, which is one of the most popular tourist spots.
The official said a survey of the Western Ghats, the mountain range that runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau and is known for its unique flora and fauna, is yet to be done. The decision over the sites will be taken next year by Unesco.
This year, India added the 18th century Jantar Mantar in Jaipur to its list of Unesco's World Heritage sites. The astronomical observation site was built in the early 18th century by a Jaipur king.

India has 30 sites under the Unesco listing, including the 17th century Taj Mahal in Agra and Delhi-based Red Fort and Qutab Minar.