10 Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization also referred to as UNESCO has taken the lead in identifying, protecting, and conserving the world wide heritage sites enriched in culture and nature. This was initiated by the international treaty of Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in the year 1971. Till July 2019, the UNESCO has inscribed 1121 world heritage sites in its list.

To protect these heritage sites it’s not only on the part of UNESCO but on all of us. So please do remember that if we lose them then they are lost once and for all. Whenever you make a visit to any cultural, historical, or natural heritage sites don’t do any such actions that can put these sites in danger. A few of the heritage sites recognized by UNSECO are listed below.

10 Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO:

1. Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape:

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape are situated near the northern cape of South Africa. It is widespread in 160,000 hectors with a buffer zone area of 398,425 hectors. It is a desert landscape with amazing high mountain views. It was recognized and added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2007. There are extreme temperature variations in day and night. Days are very hot and nights are too cool with heavy dew. This landscape is enriched with flora that has high medicinal values.

The wildlife is of various near to extinct species of animals and reptiles are the best live attraction for tourists from around the globe. Nama group people belong to this land where they speak Nama language who are locals and can be considered as best tour guides. Namaqualand is the best accommodation available in Northern Cape. Apart from this Northern Cape is enriched with many tourist spots like Augrabies falls, Eye of Kuruman, Hakskeen Pan, and many more.

2.Waterton Glacier International Peace Park:

Waterton Glacier International Peace Park is located between the two countries Canada and the United States of America (USA) as a symbol of peace. The Waterton Lake National Park located near Alberta a provision of Canada was merged with the Glacier National Park located near Montana in the country of the USA in the year 1932. Water Glacier International Peace Park was recorded as the history’s first peace park in the world. Both countries share their borders through this park. It is enriched by its natural scenery and fantastic view for the tourist that attracts around the globe. An amazing variable climate that is close to nature.

Abundant with lakes, rivers, mountains, and coastal lands, the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park is termed as the Physiographic region. It is widely spread into an area of 457,614 hectors which is nearly 1767 square miles’. There are many tourist camps available with tourist guide facilities. There are lodging and hotel available from 10 miles of the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park and it can be booked online.

The ticket entry fees are separated for two parks which cost nearly $3 USD for children and USD $8 for adults. Things can be purchased as per requirements for traveling. If you can afford it, you can buy the outdoor camps and some touring gadgets but these are also available for rents at some selected sources near the park. July and August are considered the best time to visit but will be crowded at camp areas. It’s quite a unique and fabulous place to enjoy the beauty of nature.

3. Sundarbans National Park:

Situated in Asia’s Indian Sub-continent and Bangladesh, Sundarbans National Park is famous for its wildlife attractions with a variety of flora and fauna. It is located near the river Ganges delta and Brahmaputra river with most parts of the water and land in India and the rest in Bangladesh. The area covered under this park is over 10,000 square kilometers. Kolkata is the nearest city in India connected to Sundarbans National Park. Mangroves are the shrub that is famous for protecting and conserving the forest from soil erosions and natural disasters like hurricane and cyclones up to a large extinct. Mangrove forests are usually seen in the tropical region part of the world.

Sundarbans National Park is for the world’s biggest forest of Mangroves.

It is home for many near to extinct species of animals, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Sundarbans Tigers commonly known as Bengal Tigers are the single largest living group in Sundarbans National Park which are up to 400 in number.

Monsoon rains are quite common and the climate is the best thrilling experience that attracts global tourists. The only way to explore this park is through waterway using boats for tourists by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. Sundarbans Tiger camp is the only available resort approved by the government. There are few watchtowers, crocodile parks, and wildlife sceneries to be enjoyed as the main attraction for tourists. To reach this place, it is well connected through air, water, and roadways with nearby cities across 100 kilometers radius which makes travel from anyplace at ease. The entry fees are quite affordable ranging from INR 200 to INR 400 rupees.

4. Volcanoes of Kamchatka:

Located near Kamchatka Krai in Russia, Volcanoes of Kamchatka has the most number of active volcanoes in the world. There are few famous flora and fauna species famous in this region that includes salmonid fish, sea otters, Steller’s sea eagle, and brown bear. Running through the Coast of Kamchatka River, there are a total of 160 volcanoes of which 29 are still active. It is once the best destination for tourists seeking adventures.

There is a helicopter ride that gives a clear and safe view of the unbeatable nature of Volcanoes, forests, rivers. There is a three days’ package that covers sky ride, trekking, camping, and boat trip. It is an excellent place for Volcano's exotic lovers.

5. Great Barrier Reef:

Located off the east coast of the Queensland mainland of the Australian continent, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s best coral ecosystem. It has a wide variety and the world's largest coral reefs in it. With more than 400 varieties of Coral and around 1500 species of fish, the Great Barrier Reef is home for many near to extinct species in the world. It is spread throughout an outstanding area of 348,000 square kilometers.

The reef has a wide area of shallow and crystal clear water that attracts tourists around the globe. It has more than 900 islands in it. Scuba diving is the best tourist attraction in the Great Barrier Reef due to its coral ecosystem. There are many neighboring cities that offer these facilities for scuba diving and boating. Fishing is also a great activity for tourists in this area. In 1981, it was included in the world heritage list of UNESCO.

6. Komodo National Park:

Located in the East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia, Komodo National Park is the home for more than 5700 huge size lizards. These lizards are named after their aggressive behaviors which are called Komodo Dragons that can be over 10 feet tall and weighs more than 70 kilograms. Hence this island is named after them as Komodo National park. This island also has active volcanoes on its premises. The Komodo Lizards only exists in Komodo park in this world and have an attraction of a great deal for the scientist to study them.

This is a perfect natural ecosystem for the survival of Giant Lizards that is hard to find in the rest of the world. Rinca, Padar and Komodo are the three major islands with a small group of 26 other islands in the Komodo National park. Tourist attraction from the world is seen in this park. These attractions include boating, flora and fauna nature view, and scuba diving. It is easy to find local guides from local villages and with economical packages. The tourism agency of this park has decided to shut it down for the year 2019 to 2020 for repairs and improvement purposes. UNESCO listed it into world Heritage Sites in the year 1991.

7. Saryarka -The Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan:

Located in Kazakhstan of the Asian Continent, Saryarka – The Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan is the nature's beauty worth watching once in a lifetime. It is spread over an astonishing area of 450344 hectares. There are wetlands in this area that marks the seasonal home for many migrating birds from other continents.

Amazing fact is that there are an estimated 15 to 16 million birds with many near to extinct species seen around the area every year. Thus it an absolute tourist spot for nature and bird lovers. Apart from birds, it is home for many flora and fauna. The Saryarka – Steppe, and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan were inscribed into World Heritage sites by UNESCO in the year 2008.

8. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve:

Located in the west coast of Madagascar, Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is one of the world heritage site listed by UNESCO and was inscribed in the year 1990.

A wide variety of landscapes, limestone forests, canyons are the unique geographical area in it. 

It attracts tourists across the world and is home for a few near to extinct species of flora and fauna in the world. It is widely spread over an area of 152,000 hectares. Morondava is the nearest city situated 150 kilometers towards south of the park which is easily accessible by road.

9. Kinabalu Park:

Designated by UNESCO in 2000 as the world heritage sites, Kinabalu Park is the first national park of Malaysia established in the year 1964. Kinabalu Park is located in Sabah, Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu, Tauran, Ranau, and KotaBelud are the nearest accessible cities to this park.

The park surrounds the area of Mount Kinabalu, the tallest in Borneo Island which is spread in an area of 754 square kilometers. It is a home for more than 4500 species of flora and fauna that attracts worldwide tourism.

10. Darien National Park:

Located 325 kilometers far from Panama City, Darien National Parks was listed in the world heritage sites by UNESCO in the year 1981. Located between two continents North America and South America, it is considered as the bridge of nature connecting two continents. There are many beaches, forests, and coastal lands in this Darien National Park.

There are many attractive flora and fauna residing in this region. Namely macaw - Long-tailed color parrots, distinct species of parrots, Tapir – herbivorous mammals, The Harpy eagle and is home for few more near to extinct endangered species. It is a good tourist attraction but is not easily accessible due to its location between international borders. There are two places where the park can be accessed either from Cana or Pirre Station.

The world is filled with thousands of amazing places and sites. Listing only 10 out of those is indeed the most difficult task and one cannot even judge and rate any of these natural world heritage sites. Nature is purely incredible. Do post your thoughts and don’t forget to share.