Context:

• The government has begun the process to get UNESCO’s World Heritage Site status for Godavari Mangroves at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, near Kakinada.
• Once the Coringa sanctuary gets the heritage site tag, UNESCO will help develop tourism and protect the wildlife in the mangroves.
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is 18 km from the port city of Kakinada. This sanctuary is a part of the Godavari estuary

UNESCO’s World Heritage:

Mission:

• Encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage. Encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites; Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger

Funding:

• The World Heritage Fund provides about US$4 million annually to support activities requested by States Parties in need of international assistance.
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of special cultural or physical significance.
• It is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme

Status of Sites:

• The designated sites mainly get protection as legal status is granted under the programme
• • Mainly Protection in War Times
  • Geneva Convention, its Articles, Protocols and Customs
  • Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and international