Mussoorie school in tentative UNESCO heritage list

A railways-run school in Mussoorie has been nominated for inscription as a World Heritage site, the first time a school in the country has been shortlisted for the honour.

New Delhi, July 16 (PTI) A railways-run school in Mussoorie has been nominated for inscription as a World Heritage site, the first time a school in the country has been shortlisted for the honour.

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The railways have included Oak Grove School among its four sites in the tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites -- the other three being Gwalior Light Railway, Western Railway headquarters Churchgate Building and Kangra Valley Railway.

"It is for the first time that a school has been nominated by India for the World Heritage Site inscription," said a senior railway ministry official.

Set up in 1888, the Oak Grove School in Mussoorie is an example of harmonious blend of three cultural developments of the 19th century- railways, hill station and public school.

"It is still contributing significantly as a cultural landmark institution," the official said.

Currently, India has total 27 World Heritage Sites and an equal number of sites in the tentative list. A site is selected for the inscription depending on its universal value and historical significance among other criteria.

A team of experts from UNESCO will come in September to inspect the Maharashtra's Matheran Railway, which is already included in the tentative list for a possible inscription in
2010.