Sunny Dua
World Heritage Committee
India is incredible and so are its resources, historical sites including old palaces, forts, monuments, artifacts, archival records, religious places of historical importance and some national parks which are under constant scrutiny and protection of state and UT level archives, archaeological and museum departments, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) who have declared these far-fetches sites as protected and continue to add more to the list.
UNESCO’s 1972 Convention unites 195 countries to protect these heritage sites describing them all as irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration besides involving local communities to safeguard their heritage and culture from climate change, fast urbanization, massive tourism, and sustainable development. To make this happen here in this part of South East Asia, India, for the first time in the history played host to the 46th session of World Heritage Committee from 21 to 31 July 2024 enabling us to have an insight into the world of heritage across the globe.
This committee comprising of representatives of 21 states, elected from the 195 states parties to the Convention, in its annual meet here in India, while reviewed new proposals it also assessed state of conservation of sites already declared as UNESCO protected sites. This meet while discussed and deliberate upon 27 new sites monitored the progress of protection of 124 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. Until last year there were 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India and with the addition of Moidams – the burial mounds of Asam we now have 43 sites protected by this prestigious institution of United Nations.
Proud moment for India
Seeing the importance of Moidams – the burial mounds of Ahom Dynasty in Asam and dangers posed to it, the World Heritage Committee (WHC) this year in its India meeting declare this site as UNESCO protected which is a proud moment for India. Located in the foothills of the Patkai Ranges in eastern Assam, the site contains the Tai-Ahom royal necropolis. These royals for 600 years created Moidams and integrated them with the natural landscape, forming a sacred geography. Today there exists ninety Moidams of various sizes, containing royal remains and grave goods which according to locals were under constant threat of being stolen or damaged.
Another best part of this event was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi who besides highlighting India’s rich heritage announced that India will contribute 1 million dollars to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to be used for capacity building, technical assistance and conservation of world heritage sites. In addition, the heritage experts from all over the country were also invited at the convention and it proved to be far beneficial for them to attend side events which were not only informative but interactive as well.
During his inaugural address Modi emphasized that the 46th World Heritage Committee session is being held in one of the world’s oldest living civilizations, highlighting India’s heritage as a blend of history and advanced engineering, as seen in sites like Kedarnath and Brihadishvara temples. He stressed that heritage represents a shared human consciousness that transcends geopolitical issues and urged the world to use heritage to connect hearts, promote global cooperation, and enhance tourism and job opportunities through this gathering.
India as UNESCO’s WHC host
After G20, this was India’s another magnificent event that hosted over 2,500 World Heritage Committee (WHC) delegates from state parties, advisory bodies, senior diplomats, heritage experts, scholars, and researchers from 195 countries including that from Jammu and Kashmir at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. A very well organised event by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Audrey Azoulay, Director General, UNESCO, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Vishal V Sharma, chairperson of the WHC and ambassador and permanent representative of India to UNESCO, and Yaduvir Singh Rawat, Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India also addressed the 46th WHC meet.
The logo of 46th WHC meeting was the stone chariot from the Vijaya Vitthala Temple, Hampi in Karnataka and its tagline was ‘Sah Nau Yasha’ which means ‘May our glory Grow’ derived from the ancient Sanskrit scripture Taitiriya Upanishad. This tagline in Sanskrit was displayed at the entrance of meeting hall which sent a positive message to the delegates from out ancient and holy scriptures.
Agenda and Expectations
The World Heritage Committee was expected to focus on reviewing existing World Heritage Sites, considering new nominations, allocating funds for conservation, and discussing policy challenges and opportunities in heritage preservation. The meeting is a key platform for rich discussions and collaborations in cultural preservation.
This 46th session was particularly significant in the post-pandemic world, addressing issues like the impact of climate change, digital preservation, sustainable tourism, and involving local communities in heritage efforts. Hosting the event offers India a chance to showcase its rich heritage, enhance its cultural diplomacy, boost tourism, and learn from global conservation practices.
The Bharat Mandapam
Bharat Mandapam, at Pragati Maidan was all decked up to host WHC delegates who converged to disseminate cultural vibrancy of their countries besides appreciated being in India especially when they were taken to heritage sites in and around Delhi. The place was so vibrant that it housed main central hall for meeting and side events where lectures, interactive sessions and debates were held, exhibitions, caffes, registration counters and ample parking which reflected India’s modern infrastructure wherein world bodies worked on protecting old and important heritage sites in India and member counties. This blend was highly appreciated by the delegates.
Committed to safeguard cultural and natural sites, the World Heritage Committee witnessed replica of stone of Hampi placed at the entrance which was most sought-after site for selfies and photos. Other than this, the entire place was well decorated for the delegates especially the lounges that were quite relaxing and centre for exchanging pleasantries. To keep delegates engaged and display India’s rich heritage, AR & VR technologies were also used to provide an immersive experience for 3 world heritage sites of India: Rani ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat; Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, Maharashtra; and Hoysala Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka.
India during past over a decade had been able to get about 350 artifacts returned from abroad. About 22 of these magnificently craved heritage artifacts made out of stones, bronze, alloys and other materials brought back in recent times were on display at first floor. It was informative and educative to go through all the documents related to communications between India and governments of various other countries from where these artefacts were brought back.
Holograms, depicting all these artefacts giving the visitors an 8-D effect was also impressive. The ‘Incredible India’ exhibition was a testament to the country’s diverse and vibrant cultural heritage. It was heartening to see the efforts being made to preserve and promote this heritage, and I as a state guest was inspired to contribute more actively to similar initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. The exhibition that highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage, age-old civilization, geographical diversity, and tourism destinations along with modern developments in the field of Information Technology and infrastructure was centre of attraction.
An exhibition of handicrafts, artifacts and other tourism related information by all the states and Union Territories of India was also drawing crowds. A special enclosure was made about informing guests how Digital India is spearheading the campaign of going paperless and secure money transactions through UPI. Tourism and handicraft stalls of Jammu and Kashmir were quite attractive which were thronged by delegates in large numbers. Some foreign delegates like that of Armenia too had displayed cultural legacies of their country.
Ajanta Paintings by Sarkis
Paintings of a well-known diaspora painter of Armenian artist Sarkis Katchadourian born in 1886 were also on display the Bharat Mandapam. According to Satenik Choookaszian, a delegate from state parties representing Armenia and Head of Department of Decorative-Applied Art at National Gallery of Armenia, “Sarkis during his visit to caves of Ajanta caves was so much impressed that he chose to paint the statues and murals inside the cave.
Since there was no electricity, Sarkis Katchadourian used mirrors to bring light into the caves where he painted magnificent murals. Satenik mentioned that Sarkis’s works are preserved at the National Gallery of Armenia, including fresco versions of some Ajanta Cave paintings. Sarkis Katchadourian passed away in 1947, but his work continues to inspire artists worldwide.
She explained that Sarkis was deeply impressed by the Ajanta cave murals and painted them to preserve their beauty, fearing they might be lost. In 1937, Sarkis spent four years recreating nearly lost 5th and 6th-century frescoes in temple caves in India and Ceylon. His reproductions of the Ajanta murals are considered masterpieces.
Sessions- side events
Special sessions were addressed by historians as well as officials and experts of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). One such sessions was exclusively dedicated to Sinauli – an archaeological site in western Uttar Pradesh, India from where Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials had excavated solid-disk wheel carts which were interpreted by some as horse-pulled “chariots” belonging to the Bronze Age.
A session drawing comparison of archaeological evidences with that of literature related to Mahabharata was also interesting. These sessions were addressed by eminent professors of history of different universities and heritage experts from all over the globe. Since, a number of foreign nationals who were expert in heritage conservation interacted with us, we as delegates, were able to gather more information and got sensitized about preservation of our heritage.
Conclusion
It was the vision and leadership of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary to govt J&K UT, Culture Suresh Kumar Gupta, Director Archives Raj Kumar Katoch (JKAS), Special Secretary Trishala Kumari (JKAS) and Assistant Director Archives, Dr. Sangeeta that had been instrumental in promoting heritage conservation in our state who ensured that J&K participates in this historic event in a meaningful manner which is why a five member team of heritage experts was dispatched to Bharat Mandapam.
Hence, committed to leveraging the knowledge and experience gained from the WHC meeting to further the cause of heritage conservation in Jammu and Kashmir, whether through writing, active participation in projects, or collaboration with national and international bodies, I as a heritage conservationist am dedicated to making a meaningful contribution and feel honoured to participate and see through my eyes this World Heritage Committee meeting of 2024.
(The writer is senior journalist)
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