UNESCO World Heritage Committee Adds Chinese Migratory Bird Sanctuaries to World Heritage List

UNESCO World Heritage Committee Adds Chinese Migratory Bird Sanctuaries to World Heritage List

Five nominated sites of the migratory bird sanctuaries along the coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China have successfully passed the review process and were included on the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

Decision and Session Details

The decision was made during the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India. This information was confirmed by China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Background and Significance

According to UNESCO, the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II) is a serial extension of the already listed property. The newly-admitted five sites are part of Phase II, while Phase I sanctuaries were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2019.

Ecological Importance

As part of the world’s largest intertidal wetland system, this area within the Yellow Sea Ecoregion provides vital habitats for birds migrating along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. This flyway stretches across approximately 25 countries, from the Arctic to Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Unique Ecological Function

UNESCO highlighted that these wetlands serve a unique ecological function as indispensable stopover sites for millions of waterbirds during their migration.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

  1. Where was the decision to include the five nominated sites on the World Heritage List made?
    • A) Beijing, China
    • B) New York, USA
    • C) New Delhi, India
    • D) Tokyo, Japan
      Answer: C) New Delhi, India
  2. When were the Phase I sanctuaries of the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China inscribed on the World Heritage List?
    • A) 2015
    • B) 2019
    • C) 2020
    • D) 2022
      Answer: B) 2019
  3. How many countries does the East Asian-Australasian Flyway span across?
    • A) 10
    • B) 15
    • C) 20
    • D) 25
      Answer: D) 25
  4. Which organization confirmed the decision to include the five nominated sites on the World Heritage List?
    • A) United Nations
    • B) China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration
    • C) World Wildlife Fund
    • D) International Union for Conservation of Nature
      Answer: B) China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration
  5. What unique ecological function do the wetlands in the Yellow Sea Ecoregion serve?
    • A) Breeding grounds for marine life
    • B) Stopover sites for millions of waterbirds
    • C) Natural water filtration systems
    • D) Tourist attractions
      Answer: B) Stopover sites for millions of waterbirds