India proposes Red Fort as World Heritage site

India has proposed the inclusion of Red Fort as a world heritage site, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. In a written reply, Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni said there are 26 world heritage sites in the country and India has proposed the inclusion of Red Fort as one of them for 2007.

"Sites are inscribed in the world heritage list in accordance with the operational guidelines of the World Heritage Committee," she said. According to guidelines, a state party can submit a maximum of only two nominations per year for world heritage status of which one site must be a natural site, Soni informed the House.

As compared to India, Italy has 41 and France has 30 world heritage sites, she said. The minister said India has submitted a tentative list proposing 19 cultural and natural sites for their future inclusion in the world heritage list.

The Archaeological Survey of India takes care of 3,667 monuments and sites of national importance.