International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), or World Heritage Day, is celebrated on April 18 worldwide. It is observed on this day to honour and protect a country’s cultural legacy.
The idea is to invoke a sense of pride in our history, historic structures and monuments that are global treasures.
It also aims to increase public awareness about the diversity and vulnerability of cultural heritage.
It was first celebrated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1983.
Every year there is a new theme. The theme of World Heritage Day 2024 is ‘Disasters & Conflicts Through the Lens of the Venice Charter’.
India is home to a total of 3,691 monuments and sites. Of these, 40 are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.