The two-day UNESCO Sub Regional conference of conservation and development of heritage was concluded on Tuesday (April 18) at the Khushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre Bhopal (Minto Hall).
The UNESCO Sub-Regional Conference will be a conduit for innovations and best practices in heritage conservation around the world, including in the South Asian region.
Bhopal has received recognition at the global level through the sub-regional conference. The document prepared from the ideological brainstorming of the conference has been termed ‘The Bhopal Vision Statement’.
The statement emphasizes 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 the impact of climate change on heritage, the inclusion of traditional knowledge in modern practices, etc. Sustainable development has been described as possible only through strong relations between people and heritage as per the document. The two-day sub-regional conference ended with a pledge to increase mutual coordination and cooperation for the conservation and development of cultural and natural heritage.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director MP Tourism Board, 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 various states thanked Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Culture for their hospitality and successful event. On this occasion, Additional Managing Director Vivek Shrotriya, officials of the Tourism and Culture Department, students of various educational institutions and representatives of civil society organizations were also present.
The delegates got an insight into the historical heritage of the city from the Heritage Walk that was organized for the delegates.
An exhibition was also facilitated at the venue with multiple stalls reflecting the heritage and culture of Madhya Pradesh which included stalls from the MP Tourism Board, Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, MP, Archelogy Survey of India, Wall painting and Paper Mache, School of Planning and Architecture, Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum and Mrignayanee (A series of local land loom sarees initiated by the Department of Culture, MP. (MP Govt Emporium)). The visitors enthusiastically tried their hand at handlooms and also learned to make pottery.
The MP Tourism Stall highlighted the key features of the Responsible Tourism Mission including Responsible Souvenirs, Art and Crafts, Rural Tourism, Homestay schemes, project Humsafar and Safe Tourism Destinations for women.