UNESCO’s two-day sub-regional conference to brainstorm on the conservation, development and future challenges of cultural and natural heritage began on Monday at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre (Minto Hall) in Bhopal.
State Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Vinod Gontia inaugurated the convention by lighting the lamp along with the delegates from different countries.
Gontia said that work will be done in the direction of conservation and development of heritage with mutual cultural coordination of all the countries. This will lead to economic development along with tourism in all countries and promote the conservation of the country’s cultural and natural heritage.
Hezekiel Dlamini, Office-in-Charge, UNESCO New Delhi joined the conference virtually.
He said that this conference is crucial for the conservation and development of cultural and national heritage, which will exchange views of different countries. All countries take inspiration from each other’s innovations.
Junhi Han, Head of Culture, UNESCO New Delhi, highlighted UNESCO’s journey of heritage conservation over the past 50 years, marking 50 years of the World Heritage Convention.
She discussed the concept of cultural heritage with an inclusive, people-centred and holistic approach.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh is making continuous efforts to preserve cultural and natural heritage. There are 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Khajuraho, Bhimbetka and Sanchi Stupa in the state. Along with this, Mandu, Orchha, Satpura National Park and Bhedaghat-Lamhetaghat have been included in the tentative list, which is a matter of pride for the state. Shri Shukla warmly welcomed all the delegates while highlighting the outline of the conference. Commissioner Archeology Smt. Shilpa Gupta expressed gratitude.
Responsible Tourism Mission exhibition appreciated
In order to introduce the delegates to the handicrafts and cultural heritage of the state, an exhibition focused on rural tourism was organised by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board in the convention centre premises, in which various aspects of the Responsible Tourism Mission were explained. Besides, through virtual reality equipment, the delegates were taken on a virtual tour of the destinations of the state. In the evening, all the delegates visited the Tribal Museum and learned about the living conditions, traditions and culture of the tribes of the state. In the cultural presentation, a glimpse of the folk art and culture of the state was seen and appreciated.
Brainstorming on various dimensions of heritage and community in the side event
In the conference, representatives of member countries and various organisations presented their views on various dimensions of heritage and community participation. In the session Heritage Based Academics Project – Importance of Research – Prof. Ajay Khare of School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, gave a presentation on World Heritage Sites in historic Towns and Role of Regulatory Bodies and Head of Department of Urban Design, School of Planning and Architect, New Delhi Prof. Manu Mahajan gave a presentation on Community Based Design Studio for historic cores. In the role of civil societies session, Amar from Bangladesh made a presentation on An Artificial Reality Based Initiative to Connect Heritage with Grassroot Communities, Chaudhary Foundation from Nepal gave a presentation on Reviving Culture in Present Day-Nepal and also presentation given by Geoffrey Bawa Trust from Sri Lanka. In the last session, Dr. Vandana Sinha of the American Institute of Indian Studies, Jonathan Kennedy of the British Council and Saibal Bose, Chief Administrative Officer, Southern Railway made presentations on various dimensions of heritage in India.
Brainstorming on connecting the community to heritage conservation and development in the thematic session
In the thematic sessions, representatives of countries and organizations presented their views on connecting the community to heritage conservation and development. In the session focused on the theme of World Heritage and Sustainable Development for Local Communities, Shri Ratish Nanda on Re-thinking Conservation for Community, Sushri Binita Magaiya from Nepal gave presentation on Community and Kasthamandap Reconstruction, Sushri Apoorva Iyengar on Role of Local Communities for Managing and Conserving the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai World Heritage Site. Prof. Dr. Madhura Yadav and Prof. Ajay Khare outlined the various dimensions of the presentation in the panel discussion.
In the session focused on the theme of World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, Anubhav Kumar gave presentation on Balancing Preservation and Development: Sustainable Development for Future, Scott Wayne and Meenu Chawla on Tourism: a Positive Force for Cultural Heritage, Prashant Singh Baghel on Madhya Pradesh Tourism Projects and Dr. Manoj Kumar Kini made a presentation on Kerala Tourism Limited’s Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism Kodungullur. Also, in the panel discussion, Sethrichem Sangtam and Dr. Kasthurba AK presented their views.
The conference was attended by Somarathne Vidanapathirana, Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka, Karma Tenzin, Executive Architect, Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Bhutan, Suresh Suras Shrestha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal, Aishath Muneeza, Project Manager, Ministry of Art, Culture and Heritage, Maldives, Subrata Bhowmik, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh in the graceful presence of Janhwiz Sharma, Additional Director General, Archaeological Survey of India and Aneish P. Rajan, Director, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Additional Managing Director Tourism Board Vivek Shrotriya, Director Culture Aditi Kumar Tripathi along with departmental officers and students of various educational institutions including NIFT, IHM and MANIT and representatives of NGOs were present.
