UNESCO World Heritage

LAKKUNDI AS ACENTRE OF REIGIOUS PLURALISM & TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE IN MEDIEVA DECCAN

Lakkundi in Karnataka is an important medieval heritage town known for its rich cultural, religious, and architectural legacy. Flourishing under the Western Chalukyas and Hoysalas, it became famous as the “village of a hundred temples and wells.” The site reflects religious pluralism, with strong associations with Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism, and the Virashaiva Bhakti movement.

Its beautifully carved temples and stepwells, built in the distinctive Kalyana Chalukya style, highlight both artistic excellence and sacred utility. Recent archaeological excavations, including evidence of much earlier habitation, have strengthened efforts to include Lakkundi in UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list, underscoring its enduring historical significance.

NINGALOO CRISIS: 70% CORAL LOSS IN UNESCO REEF HITS GLOBAL ALARM

Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia has lost nearly 70 percent of its coral cover after an unprecedented marine heatwave. Mass death of key corals like Acropora has triggered a shift toward algae and sponges, exposing severe climate vulnerability and demanding urgent conservation and policy action.

WESTERN GHATS UNDER THREAT: ICUN'S RED FLAG ALERT EXPLAINED

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot in India, has been flagged by the IUCN as a site of “significant concern” due to threats from climate change, tourism, hydropower projects, and invasive species. Home to over 325 globally threatened species, the Ghats face habitat loss, wildlife conflicts, and ecosystem disruptions. Urgent conservation measures, community involvement, and sustainable development are needed to protect this vital natural heritage.