The GHNP, which lost its chance to get finally selected as UNESCO-approved world heritage site last year, is located along the western Himalayas in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.

The GHNP has, once again, made it to the nomination list of the the international union for conservation of nature (IUCN) which is the advisory body to the UNESCO Committee on Nature. It meets every year to take decisions on nominations and required conservation action for World Heritage sites.

The IUCN will present the recommendations and evaluations to the World Heritage Committee during its 38th meeting from June 15 to 25 in Doha, Qatar. It will discuss the necessary action to conserve world's natural wonders in a range of Committee debates and side events.

The Committee meeting comprises 21 Members of the World Heritage Committee, States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, the UNESCO secretariat and the three Advisory Bodies (IUCN, ICOMOS and ICCROM), together with observers from NGO, civil society and the press.

A final decision on granting the World Heritage site status will be taken on the basis of the deliberation of the Committee.

List of sites which are nominated by the IUCN:

* Australia, Tasmanian Wilderness (minor boundary modification)

* Botswana, Okavango Delta

* China, South China Karst (Phase II) (extension)

* Denmark/Germany, Wadden Sea (extension) Denmark, Stevns Klint

* France, Tectono-volcanic Ensemble of the Chaine des Puys and Limagne Fault

* India, Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (referred in 2013)

* Mexico, Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche (extension and renomination): mixed site

* Panama, Darien National Park (minor boundary modification)

* Philippines, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (referred in 2013)

* Poland / Belarus, Bialowieza Forest (extension and renomination)

* Portugal, Arrabida: mixed site and cultural landscape

* Vietnam, Trang An Landscape Complex: mixed site and cultural landscape Vietnam, Cat Ba Archipelago

The GHNP, covering 754.4sqkm of conservation area, is naturally protected by snow covered, steep ridges on its northern, eastern and southern boundaries. It was declared as National Park under the Wildlife (Protection Act) 1972 by the Himachal Pradesh government in 1999.

Every year IUCN, in partnership with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, monitors the state of World Heritage sites affected by major conservation issues.

"A total of 61 sites around the globe were assessed this year, involving 11 field missions. Eighteen natural World Heritage sites are currently inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger", said a IUCN report.

The monitoring reports reveal that poaching and illegal logging - threats that have become particularly prominent since last year — continue to rise.

"Africa and Asia emerge as the most affected regions, with elephants, rhinoceros and valuable timber being targeted most prominently, and with often life-threatening conditions for park rangers on the ground.

"Development of dams and other large infrastructure, as well as extractive activities, remain constant threats to World Heritage sites across the planet", said the IUCN report.