The Great Himalayan National Park, which is known for its richest biodiversity sites, is getting global recognition as a team of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) evaluators will visit the park from Oct 3 to 12 to survey the park’s biodiversity.

This will be the first visit of IUCN experts to the park since it was short-listed for UNESCO’s World Heritage status in 2009. According to IUCN guidelines, experts evaluate the nominated property on the ground and discuss the nomination with the relevant national and local authorities, local communities, NGOs and other stake-holders.

According to protocol, IUCN presents the results and recommendations of its evaluation process at its annual session in June/July. The panel makes the final decision on whether or not to inscribe the nominated property on the world heritage list.