Andaman & Nicobar Push for Global Heritage Status with Six Site Nominations

Efforts to secure global recognition for the cultural and natural treasures of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands took a major step forward as experts, administrators, and community representatives came together for a workshop on preparing the UNESCO World Heritage Nomination Dossier. Held in the conference hall of the Disaster Management Department at Sri Vijaya Puram, the session focused on refining the nomination process for six sites across the archipelago.

Organized by the Department of Art & Culture, the workshop brought together a high-profile panel including officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Geological Survey of India, and UNESCO-related heritage experts. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Secretary of the Islands administration, Chandra Bhushan Kumar, who emphasized the critical need for comprehensive documentation to back the nomination effort.

Currently, two sites, Cellular Jail and Narcondam Island, are already on UNESCO’s tentative list. Four more sites are now in the nomination pipeline: the Chatham Saw Mill, the Baratang Karst formations, the Nicobarese Tribal Cultural Continuity in the Nancowry group of islands, and the active volcano on Barren Island. These sites are being considered for their geological, historical, and cultural significance.

The Chief Secretary underlined the Administration’s intent to complete the nomination dossiers in a time-bound manner. He released a brochure titled Know Your Heritage during the event, reiterating the importance of public awareness and informed participation in heritage preservation.

Art & Culture Secretary Jyoti Kumari provided a detailed overview of the nomination process and acknowledged the foundational work already carried out. She noted that the concept of proposing these sites was first mooted with the identification of Nancowry’s natural harbour and tribal cultural legacy. With the support of domain experts, the administration is now moving to the stage of preparing detailed dossiers for UNESCO’s review.

Domain experts made presentations covering both the tangible and intangible heritage elements critical to a successful UNESCO nomination. Dr. Kasturi Chakraborty of the Geological Survey of India discussed the unique geological evolution of the islands. Dr. Shikha Jain of the DRONAH Foundation presented the framework for dossier development, while IFS officer Dr. Sonali Ghosh elaborated on the criteria for listing natural heritage under UNESCO guidelines.

A key session involved group activities where participants identified core values and attributes of the nominated sites. Presentations by the groups formed the basis for outlining the path ahead, including steps for final submission.

ADG Janhwij Sharma of ASI spoke on the role of the institution in safeguarding heritage and reiterated ASI’s support for the Islands’ nomination. He highlighted the importance of conservation in the face of environmental challenges and commended the potential shown by recent visits to the Cellular Jail and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island.

The Chief Secretary closed the workshop by expressing gratitude to the experts and reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to the process. He emphasized that heritage recognition is not only about prestige but also about long-term conservation and international collaboration.

The Secretary of Art & Culture summed up the session with an action plan involving dossier submission by September 2025, transnational collaboration for shared heritage recognition, and the creation of a Geo Board in Sri Vijaya Puram in partnership with the Geological Survey of India.

Committees at both district and state levels have been formed to push the initiative forward. These efforts are expected to provide a comprehensive foundation for UNESCO’s consideration and contribute to long-term cultural and ecological preservation across the island chain.