Karnataka - Bangalore   

World Heritage Site tag sought for more places

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Conservation: (From right) Principal Secretary (Kannada and Culture) Subir Hari Singh; Secretary, Railway Board Mathew John; Director-General of ASI Anshu Vaish; and UNESCO Representative Minja Yang at a seminar in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Tourism Department has sought the World Heritage Site tag for Belur, Halebid, Sharavanabelogola and Srirangapatna that will enable better conservation and management of these areas.

Speaking at a seminar on “How to become and remain a world heritage site in India,” here on Friday, Principal Secretary (Tourism) Subir Hari Singh said that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) could add these historical sites in the tentative list of heritage sites to be submitted to the UNESCO. Though a part of Western Ghats has received the World Heritage Site tag, the entire stretch of Western Ghats from Maharashtra to Kerala could be considered for the tag, he added.

The Director-General of ASI Anshu Vaish also appealed to the UNESCO to consider these sites along with Western Ghats to be included in the World Heritage Site list. Besides, a proposal would be made for Chandigarh, and Majoli Islands in Assam for the World Heritage Site tag, she added.

Ms. Vaish said: “It is a privilege for the ASI and I am overwhelmed by the response of the UNESCO.”

She also said that the ASI was the primary custodian and manager of 27 sites (22 cultural and 5 natural) in India. The World Heritage Site tag was the stepping stones to increase tourism and a balance between conservation and tourism must be maintained, she added.

UNESCO Representative Minja Yang felt that the idea of conserving the tangible and intangible heritage is a strategic issue and a great way of increasing tourism-generated revenue. She strongly remarked that conserving World Heritage Sites was not for economic reasons alone, but for reasons of beauty, pride and national heritage. Referring to the nomination of sites, she said that that nomination was an inter-generational undertaking which demanded the coordination of the national, State and local bodies.

Earlier, Director (Tourism) C. Somashekar briefly outlined the World Heritage Sites in Karnataka and laid special emphasis on Hampi, Belur, and Halebid. He also spoke on various projects that were undertaken by the Karnataka Tourism, and said that the department would extend all the help in restoring and conserving heritage sites in the State.

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