India Hosts Historic 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting

Why in news?

The 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting took place in India from the 21st to the 31st of July 2024 at Bharat Mandapam New Delhi. This gigantic event can be considered a major landmark on India’s accented relationship with the World Heritage Convention which kick started in 1977. India’s active contribution to the World Heritage Committee by acting as a member and working on four terms also proves the country’s commitments to the international cooperation and the capacity building.

Inauguration by Prime Minister Modi

The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee was officially opened on 21 July 2024 by the Prime Minister of Shri Narendra Modi with the distinguished guests. Speaking in the first session of the TED, Prime Minister Modi offered $1 million assistance to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. This contribution resonates with his ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ vision or Development as well as Heritage and is self-explanatory to define and support but will be useful in capacity building entailing technical help and hence aiding conservation, mostly to the Global South countries.

A Pledge of ‘Virasat Par Garv’

Union Culture Minister stressed upon the dedication of India towards monumental preservation and conservation, joined with the duo Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the construction of modern campus of Nalanda University at the ancient historic place Ayodhya Temple. All these projects depict India’s vow for the modern development and conserv at ion of cultural heritage under the motto ‘Virasat Par Garv’ (Pride in Heritage).

Inscription of 24 New World Heritage Sites

During the 46 / WHC session, the new sites where admitted into the list and these comprised of 19 cultural, 4 natural and 1 mixed site. One of the landmark achievements is that Moidams from Assam were claimed to be the 43 rd World Heritage Site of India. These are the sacred burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty in the Charaideo district; the site will factor in six centuries of culture and architectural design hence being the first cultural site in Assam to be granted this status.

Cultural Property Agreement between India and the USA

The Cultural Property Agreement signed between India and the United States of America
In the course of the session, an aspect of Cultural Property Agreement with the USA was achieved and was aimed at reiterating the fight against illicit traffic in cultural property. Moreover, the Archaeological Survey of India made a Memorandum of Understanding with ICCROM for capacity building and to conduct research about tangible cultural heritage expanding India’s position into world heritage preservation.

Highlights of the 46th World Heritage Committee Session

This was accompanied by the Young Heritage Professionals Forum together with the Site Managers Forum helping to increase the international knowledge on conservation. In the same manner, 33 side events were held with a special exhibition where 25 historical stolen items were returned. This exhibition focused on how seriously India takes its efforts to protect its cultural assets and demonstrated the successful outcomes of its repatriation work.

Contributions to Global Heritage Conservation

Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stressed on the prominence of Indian destinations in the conservation of world heritage. He also appreciated India’s contribution in the preservation of heritage sites including Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Cham Temples in Vietnam and stupas in Myanmar’s Bagan. India still stands as a world leader in the preservation of world heritage sites with 43 of them ranging from the freshly enlisted Moidams.

Enhancing the Global Significance of Culture

The Union Minister elaborated on India’s distinguished role in further deepening the relevance of the culture in the framework of the post-2030 Agenda, noting on the example of the G20 presidency the approval of culture as more Pompeo Aims to Enrich Cultures As a separate goal of development. The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023 (NDLD) represents a radical paradigm shift in the World Development Atlas that focuses on economic performance improvement, the overall society’s inclusiveness for the less privileged people, and the preservation of endangered cultural assets.

Landmark Decision on Culture’s Transformative Potential

The groundbreaking ruling which acknowledges the possibility of change through culture paves the way for the positive advancement of the economy as well as the inclusion and protection of the oppressed groups and endangered cultural assets. The Kashi Culture Pathway and the NDLD 2023, the global Culture goal’s only blueprint in a single document armed with its powerful enunciation, offer strong roadmaps guiding the direction of the Culture sector worldwide.

Conclusion of the 46th World Heritage Committee Session

This World Heritage Committee Meeting session 46 was followed by numerous deliberations on conservation issues, and international aid and bilateral meetings with different countries and organizations. This historical event was aimed at revealing the cultural faced of India and served as the initial step for future activities related to the preservation of world heritage.

India’s Role in Global Heritage Conservation

Therefore, India hosting the 46th session of World Heritage Committee states its position in the international community in the protection of heritage. In carrying on with the policies that looks into the issues of development and heritage of the nation, India remains a good example to other nations. The extension of new World Heritage sites besides the signatures on international conventions prolong the Indian commitment towards the conservation of cultural heritage.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

Your activity focused on capacity building and technical assistance, which require explaining the principles of behaviour based safety and incorporating them into the workplace.
A $1 million grant recently unveiled by Prime Minister Modi will be instrumental in an array of capacity development and technical cooperation. Such efforts will assist the countries of the Global South in the preservation and initiation of the protection of cultural and natural heritage. This contribution also proves that India is fully committed to the creation of global partnerships and knowledge exchange in the sphere of heritage preservation.

Repatriation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Indian endeavor in the return of lost art relics and protection of heritage bottoms during the 46th World Heritage Committee session. Such an act of 25 historical items’ return marked the country’s desire and determination to reclaim the cultural assets and history. Such measures do not only help in sustaining the Indian history but also encourage other countries to come up with similar measures to protect their own history.

Collaboration with International Organizations

India’s partnership with the various international bodies such as ICCROM and UNESCO firmed up the country’s position in the global preservation of the heritage. They enable the sharing of knowledge, research, as well as the construction of capacity to make sure that finest practices in the preservation of cultural property are followed across the globe. Having the agreements signed in the course of the 46th session of the WHC mentioned, one can note that India actively promotes the development of international cooperation in safeguarding the heritage.

Future of Heritage Conservation in India

Inasmuch as the assessment of the 46th World Heritage Committee session reveals that the failings of the past are now a thing of the past, great hope can be had for the future of heritage conservation in India. The extension of World Heritage list and the initiation of other fresh scientific conservation processes indicate the determination of India to protect its glorious identities. With still being at the forefront of World heritage conservation, India is a source of inspiration to many other countries in the world.

Empowering Local Communities

Besides aiming at the protection of monuments and sites, the cultural heritage in India is the process of community enablement. Such projects like the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, or the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya are as much about preserving the past as they are about creating employment and business in the country. Thus, embedding heritage conservation with an endorsement of community development, India guarantees that people of the culture, whose heritage they wish to preserve, also get the advantage of its conservation.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism

Ecotourism is pushed as being the other critical component of the approach towards the preservation of India’s heritage. So, responsible tourism in its another meaning as a measure to minimize the negative effects of the large influx of visitors is an important strategic goal for India when it comes to the preservation of cultural heritage. Thus, measures that support sustainable tourism allow people to enjoy nice India and keep pollution levels at a proper level. All these efforts help in conserve heritages for future people or coming generations to visit and study them.

Conclusion

The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in New Delhi is an unforgettable event, which proves India’s commitment to heritage and interaction with other countries. As per such a global meeting, India ensured its seriousness for preserving and developing the historical and natural reserves close to its heart. The outcomes of the session indicate continued success in the protection of architectural and cultural heritage by inscribing new places in the World Heritage list and the signing of different international treaties being headed by India.

FAQS

Q1: What is the World Heritage Committee Meeting?
Ans: The World Heritage Committee Meeting is an annual gathering organized by UNESCO to discuss and decide on the inscription of new sites on the World Heritage List, monitor the state of conservation of listed sites, and provide international assistance for heritage conservation.

Q2: When and where was the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting held?
Ans: The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting was held from July 21st to 31st, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.

Q3: What significant announcements were made during the 46th WHC session?
Ans: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $1 million grant to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Additionally, 24 new World Heritage Sites were inscribed, and a Cultural Property Agreement between India and the USA was signed.

Q4: What is the significance of Moidams from Assam being inscribed as a World Heritage Site?
Ans: Moidams from Assam, sacred burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty, became India’s 43rd World Heritage Site. This inscription is significant as it is the first cultural site from Assam to receive this recognition, reflecting six centuries of cultural and architectural development.