If AAP has its way, Delhi to be in world heritage race next yr

 Delhi is not vying for being named the UNESCO World Heritage City this year but conservators feel “all is not lost” for the historic city and it maybe in the global reckoning next year as the AAP Government is pushing for the coveted status. The Centre had a few months ago decided to “pull out” the nomination of Delhi as the UNESCO World Heritage City, saying the prestigious tag, if granted, will put “lot of restrictions” on carrying out infrastructure works in the national Capital.

The World Heritage Committee, currently in session in Bonn in Germany is evaluating 38 nominations from around the globe for being inscribed into the heritage list of the world body. “Delhi may not be in the reckoning this year, but we still believe that all is not lost for Delhi. As, technically, it is not ‘withdrawal’ of the nomination, but a ‘postponement’. So, next year, positively, we can again be in the race, but it all eventually depends how pro-active the Centre will be on it,” Convener, INTACH Delhi Chapter AGK Menon said. Menon led the team from INTACH’s city chapter to prepare the “voluminous” nomination dossier sent by the Centre in January last year. The Union Ministry of Culture had sent the initial nomination to the UNESCO in 2012.

“As an NGO, we (INTACH) are trying to still pursue the case, since we believe in it and the Delhi Government too is pushing the case with the Centre, as we have been apprised. We met the Chief Secretary a few days ago, and though we haven’t received any concrete assurance from their side, it’s not a no either, so we are also positive,” he said.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP dispensation is very keen on the city getting the heritage tag. During a meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat on June 3, Kejriwal had expressed “surprise” over the Modi Government’s move to pull the city out of the race for the coveted tag. He had also directed the Chief Secretary to approach the External Affairs and Culture ministers to know the way forward. The Chief Secretary has reportedly written to the Centre, asking it to “reconsider” the decision.