The International Day for Monuments and Sites is observed globally on April 18 every year to promote culture and heritage. World Heritage Day is another name for it
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The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), based in Paris, is the driving force behind this worldwide event
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Its goal is to encourage local communities and individuals to recognise the value of cultural heritage in their lives
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The day also focuses on raising awareness about the diversity and vulnerability of cultural heritage, in addition to measures to preserve monuments
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Since 1983, the International Council on Monuments and Sites has set a theme around which events are centred on the day
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The World Heritage Day theme for 2024 is "Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage - Preparedness, Response and Recovery"
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India is home to a total of 3691 monuments and sites
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Of these 40 are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including places like the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves
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World Heritage Sites also include natural sites like the Kaziranga National Park in Assam