Bhopal : The UNESCO Sub-Regional Conference will be a medium for innovation and best practices in heritage conservation around the world, including the South Asian region. Bhopal has earned recognition at the global level with the conference. The document prepared from the brainstorming held in this will be called ‘The Bhopal Vision Statement’. This will give a new dimension to World Heritage conservation. The Statement emphasises the role and active participation of local communities and civil society in World Heritage conservation. Along with this, important views and suggestions of representatives of South Asian countries have been included on important topics like impact of climate change on heritage, inclusion of traditional knowledge in modern practices etc. In this, sustainable and long-lasting development has been described as possible only through strong relations between people and heritage. The two-day sub-regional conference concluded with a pledge to increase mutual co-ordination and co-operation for the conservation and development of cultural and natural heritage.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director MP Tourism Board Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla expressed gratitude to the delegates who came to Bhopal to attend the conference and invited them to visit various tourist destinations of the state. Representatives from South Asian countries and different states thanked MP Tourism and Culture for the hospitality and successful event. Additional Managing Director Shri Vivek Shrotriya along with officials of Tourism and Culture Department, students of various educational institutions and representatives of civil society organisations were present.
Learnt about the historical heritage of the city through Heritage Walk
Cultural heritage helps us understand our past, our history and ancestors. It binds us together. Also it is an integral part of our present and our future. A heritage walk was organised on Tuesday morning for the delegates attending the UNESCO Sub-Regional Conference to make them aware of the rich cultural heritage of Bhopal city. On the occasion of World Heritage Day, the delegates were made aware of the city’s history, culture, heritage and natural beauty. The route of the walk started from Kamla Park, passing through Rajabhoj Setu, Gauhar Mahal, Indian Tea House and concluded at Iqbal Maidan, Sadar Manzil. The delegates were informed about the city’s history, language, customs, architecture, art and diversity of cultures.
Glimpses of the state’s culture in the exhibition
An exhibition has been put up by the Tourism Board in the Convention Center premises which displays a glimpse of the state’s culture to the representatives of UNESCO. Information was given about projects being run under the M.P. Responsible Tourism Mission, including Safe Tourism Project for Women, Home Stay Scheme, Responsible Souvenir Project, Skill Development etc. was given. Along with an exhibition of Archaeological Survey of India, Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, Madhya Pradesh, School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal, Mrignayani Emporium, a live exhibition of Gond and Bhil painting, Madhya Pradesh Mati Kala Board and Maheshwari Handloom was also organised. The visitors enthusiastically tried their hands at handlooms and also pottery.
Brainstorming on heritage and culture conservation in thematic session
During the conference, representatives of countries and organisations deliberated on the impact of climate change on heritage, development through new technology and cultural conservation in the thematic sessions. In the session on the theme ‘World Heritage and Cultural Landscape’, Shri Sanjeev Shankar and Shri December Khongsdam from Meghalaya gave a presentation on ‘Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscape Community and Science-Based Approach for Nurturing Sustainability’, Shri O.P. Mishra and Dr. Vishakha Kawathekar on ‘The Relic Landscapes in India’s World Heritage Sites: The Journey from Sustainability to Responsibility’ and Shri Jhanwij Sharma on ‘Project Mausam Maritime Cultural Landscape’. Director General, Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka, Prof. Gamini Ranasinghe and Bhutan’s Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development Executive Architect Shri Karma Tenzin had a brainstorming session on the topics of the presentation.
Presentations were given in the session on “Historic Cities and Story Carbon Landscape”, Shri Nishant Upadhyay, Dr. Rand Eppich and Sushri Junhi Han on “UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape Pilot Project on Gwalior and Orchha”, Shri Ashish Trambadia on “Historic City Ahmedabad the City of Heritage and Sustainable Growth’ and Khwaja Tausif Ahmed on ‘Achieving Sustainable Development through Urban Regeneration Project in Lahore by Aga Khan Historic City Programme’.
The last session was held on the theme ‘World Heritage and Climate Change and Intangible Cultural Heritage’. In the session, Dr. Vishakha Kawathekar made a presentation on ‘Water Resource Management of Ancient India and its Applicability for Preparedness of Climate Change’ and Shri Munish Pandit made a presentation on ‘Climate Change and its Impact on Cultural Heritage’.
