73% of Non-Marine UNESCO Sites at Severe Water Risk: WRI Report

Drought Risk Is High for Qutub Minar; Keoladeo Park; Rani Ki Vaw Stepwell; and Chola Temples in Mahabalipuram

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: A new analysis shows 73% of all non-marine UNESCO World Heritage Sites are exposed to at least one severe water risk (water stress, drought, river flooding, or coastal flooding), with 21% of sites facing dual problems—having too much water one year and too little during another.

The analysis, based on the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct data (also a water risk atlas), has flagged that several sites in India are among those experiencing severe risks, including the Taj Mahal, Kaziranga National Park, Western Ghats, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, and the Great Living Chola Temples, among others. Around 40% of the UNESCO sites are facing issues related to water stress and drought risk, while 33% and 4% respectively face challenges from riverine flood risk and coastal flood risk.