Other Initiatives of UNESCO:
- Man and Biosphere Programme:
- Biosphere Reserves focus on the harmonised management of biological and cultural diversity.
- Out of 18 notified biosphere reserves, India has 12 biosphere reserves under the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), the latest one included is Panna Biosphere Reserve.
- World Heritage Programme:
- World Heritage Sites promote the conservation of natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value.
- India has 38 world heritage sites, including 30 cultural properties, 7 natural properties and 1 mixed site. The latest one included is Jaipur city, Rajasthan.
- UNESCO Global Geopark Network:
- UNESCO Global Geoparks give international recognition for sites that promote the importance and significance of protecting the Earth’s geodiversity through actively engaging with the local communities.
- India does not have any UNESCO Global geopark.
- UNESCO’s Network of Creative Cities:
- The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
- The Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music.
- There are five Indian cities in UCCN as follows:
- Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019).
- Mumbai – Film (2019).
- Chennai – Creative city of Music (2017).
- Jaipur – Crafts and Folk Arts (2015).
- Varanasi – Creative city of Music (2015).