The Kailash Sacred landscape (KSl) is probably the only one of its kind of area in the world with a multi-faceted wealth of ecological, cultural, religious and spiritual aspects held sacred by followers of different religious faiths. The KSl involves three nations- India, Nepal and China—all with different systems of governance. In such a scenario, while China is clear about the important sites on its side of the landscape, there is lack of such clarity regarding such sites on the Indian side. Keeping these and other issues in mind, a framework needs to be created to address important aspects to ascertain if any of the three nations has any boundary issues and to ensure participation of and benefit to the local community.
These were some of the views expressed during a consultative dialogue on the subject of Kailash Sacred landscape as a World Heritage Site among representatives of UNESCO World Heritage-related Category 2 institutes and centres at UNESCO Category 2 Centre on Natural World Heritage Management and Training at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) here on Wednesday.
Speakers pointed out that the Kailash Sacred landscape can be viewed broadly as comprising six different cultural areas. While preparing a road map for inscription of the Kailash Sacred landscape as a World Heritage Site it needs to be ascertained as to under which category will the nomination be submitted though the general opinion appears to be more in favour of cultural heritage category. Pointing out that the presently used route to Kailash Mansarovar from India is one of the many routes used in the past, speakers elicited focus on the need to ascertain if any of the nations involved has any boundary issues. local governance in the area should be based upon local and indigenous traditional knowledge. An official representing the state government pointed out the drastic change in the landscape and village dynamics accompanied by changing practices like the replacement of traditionally cultivated crops.
Concern was also expressed on the detrimental effects of developments like the building constructed in the Mansarovar landscape and a hotel in another location along the route to this geotectonically and ecologically sensitive region with high cultural and religious value. Speakers pointed at the different systems of governance being implemented in India, China and Nepal while also emphasising on how to devolve and enable community involvement when it comes to aspects related to KSl in the three nations.