The UNESCO Sub Regional conference for heritage development and conservation was inaugurated on Monday by the Chairman of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism and Development Corporation, Vinod Gontiya in the gracious presence of Junhi Han, Chief of Culture, UNESCO New Delhi, Somarathne Vidanapathirana, Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka, Karma Tenzin, Executive Architect, Department of Culture & Dzongkha Development, Bhutan, Suresh Suras Shrestha, Joint Secretary/ Head, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal, Aishtha Muneeza, Project Manager, Ministry of Arts, Culture & Heritage, Maldives, Subrata Bhowmik, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs Bangladesh, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Department and Managing Director, MP Tourism Board Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Janhwij Sharma, Additional Director General, Archaeological Survey of India and Aneish P. Rajan, Director, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and Ms. Shilpa Gupta, Commissioner Archaeology, Govt. of MP at the Khushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre (Minto Hall), Bhopal.
The conference is set to continue till April 18. Chairman of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism and Development Corporation, Vinod Gontiya highlighted that he takes a lot of pride to be a part of such a prestigious culture which is blended in Sanchi’s history, Mandu’s tales and impressions of Khajuraho. He thanked UNESCO for their work and added India has been taking its own initiatives for thousands of years to protect the culture of the country.
He quoted an example; such is the selfless heritage of India that some dynasty spent 25 generations to build the Ajanta Alora caves yet nobody knows who built it. He added that other than the already existing UNESCO World Heritage sites, MP has many more places like Morena, Mitaoli, Padhavali and Batteshwar which are exemplary examples of heritage.
Speaking on the occasion, Hezekiel Dlamini, Officer-in-Charge and Adviser for Communication and Information for South Asia, UNESCO New Delhi Office sent a video message and extended his gratitude to Madhya Pradesh for organising the conference. He highlighted how important it is to exchange ideas for the development of Cultural and National Heritage. He also insisted on the sustainable development of heritage.
Junhi Han, Chief of Culture UNESCO discussed the 50 years of the World Heritage Convention-Towards Inclusive, People Centred and holistic Approach: Evolution of the Concept on Cultural Heritage.
PS Tourism Sheo Shekhar Shukla welcomed the delegates to the ‘clean and green heart of India’. He highlighted how integral it is to connect with the foreign delegates for the exchange of knowledge and experiences for cultural and national development. He told the delegates about the already existing UNESCO sites of Madhya Pradesh including Khajuraho, Sanchi and Bhimbetka and the tentative sites including Orchha, Mandu, Marbel Rocks of Bedhaghat and Satpura Tiger Reserve. He mentioned that Gwalior and Orchha are also being developed under the HUL (Historic Urban Landscape) project of UNESCO. He also mentioned that the inherited heritage of India is invaluable.
The conference will focus on an integrated approach to safeguard cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism.
The delegates experienced the glimpses of rural cultures of Madhya Pradesh at the exhibition arranged at the venue where they also enjoyed the local cuisines of MP and attended a cultural program at the Tribal Museum of Bhopal followed by the dinner there.
