UNESCO sub-regional conference pushes for heritage conservation

 

 

 

UNESCO’s two-day conference is being organised at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre (Minto Hall) in Bhopal on April 17 and 18, to brainstorm on the conservation, development and challenges of heritage sites. It is being jointly organised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation).

Delegates from South Asian countries including India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka took part in the sub-regional conference. On the first day, there were presentations from all the countries. In which views were shared about how UNESCO protected heritage in the last 50 years. At the same time, brainstormed on how steps should be taken towards conservation for the next 50 years. It was also considered to connect the community with these heritage sites. Earthquake in Nepal and Ram Sethu between India and Sri Lanka were also discussed. The conference will continue on Tuesday as well.

President of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Vinod Gontia inaugurated the conference on Monday morning. Hichkiel Dlamini, Office Incharge of UNESCO, New Delhi, also joined the conference virtually. Delegates from various countries including Shivshekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, and Managing Director, MP Tourism Board, were present on the stage. Joining the conference were Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Ministry of Cultural Affairs Subrata Bhowmik and Assistant Keeper Bangladesh National Museum Dr Showkat Imam Khan, Expert from Bhutan, Department of Culture Tshering Namgyal, Executive Architect Dzongkha and Karma Tenzin, Male ‘Friday’ from Maldives Project Manager of Mosque Conservation Project Aishath Munija and Architect Maroof Jameel, Joint Secretary/Head of Culture Division, Culture, Tourism from Nepal Dr Suresh Suras Shrestha and Archaeological Officer Himal Kumar Upreti, Lumbini (Birthplace of Lord Buddha) Buddhasana, Religious from Sri Lanka Somaratne Widanapathirana, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Director General, Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka, more than 50 delegates including Gamini Ranasinghe were present.