Lok Sabha Question No. 1816 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Compliance of UNESCO’s Guidelines
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Ravi Kishan Shukla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 1816

ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN COMPLIANCE OF UNSECO's GUIDELINES

## †1816.   SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any plan for conservation of cultural heritage in compliance of the guidelines of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  amount  of  funds  sanctioned  for  the  said conservation, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has identified any sites for heritage conservation and financing;
- (d) if  so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to popularise the Indian heritage site at global level?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) nominates the properties on the World Heritage
- & List as per the criteria laid out in the UNESCO's Operational Guidelines, 2021. Every
- (b) property inscribed on the World Heritage list exhibits the Outstanding Universal Value. As of now India has 40 properties including 24 cultural heritage on the World Heritage List. Further details are enclosed at Annexure-A. The details of the amount of funds sanctioned for the conservation of ASI World Heritage Sites are enclosed at AnnexureB .
- (c) ASI takes up the conservation works of the protected monuments as per requirement
- & and available resources.

(d)

- (e) Ministry of Tourism, Government of India promotes India as a holistic destination in the tourism generating markets to promote various Indian tourism products and tourism destination including monuments of the country to increase India's share of the global tourism  market.  The  above  objectives  are  met  through  an  integrated  marketing  and promotional strategy, and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel Trade, State  Governments  and  Indian  Mission  abroad.  In  order  to  boost  visitor  arrival, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has declared 'Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023'.

*****

## Annexure-A

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1816 FOR 13.02.2023.

## PLAN FOR CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES IN COMPLIANCE   OF UNESCO's GUIDELINES

## Outstanding universal Value (OUV)

The  Committee  considers  a  property  as  having  Outstanding  Universal  Value  if  the  property meets one or more out of ten criteria. There are (i) to (vi) criteria for cultural property and (vii) to (x) for natural property.

## Authenticity

The value attributed to the heritage depends on the degree to which information sources about this value may be understood as credible or truthful. Depending on the type of cultural heritage, and its cultural context, properties may be understood to meet the conditions of authenticity if their  cultural  values  (as  recognized  in  the  nomination  criteria  proposed)  are  truthfully  and credibly expressed through a variety of attributes including: · form and design; · materials and substance; · use and function; · traditions, techniques and management systems; · location and setting;  ·  language,  and  other  forms  of  intangible  heritage;  ·  spirit  and  feeling;  and  ·  other internal and external factors.

## Integrity

Integrity is a measure of the wholeness and intactness of the natural and/or cultural heritage and its attributes.

- a) includes all elements necessary to express its Outstanding Universal Value;
- b) is of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which convey the property's significance;
- c) suffers from adverse effects of development and/or neglect.

## Management Plan

An  effective  management  system  depends  on  the  type,  characteristics  and  needs  of  the nominated  property  and  its  cultural  and  natural  context.  Management  systems  may  vary according to different cultural perspectives, the resources available and other factors. They may incorporate  traditional  practices,  existing  urban  or  regional  planning  instruments,  and  other planning  control  mechanisms,  both  formal  and  informal.  Impact  assessments  for  proposed interventions are essential for all World Heritage properties.

Effective  management  involves  a  cycle  of  short,  medium  and  long-term  actions  to  protect, conserve and present the nominated  property. An  integrated approach  to planning and management is essential to guide the evolution of properties over time and to ensure maintenance of all aspects of their Outstanding Universal Value.

## Protection, conservation and management of World Heritage properties

Protection  and  management  of  World  Heritage  properties  should  ensure  that  their  Outstanding Universal Value, including the conditions of integrity and/or authenticity at the time of inscription, are  sustained  or  enhanced  over  time.  A  regular  review  of  the  general  state  of  conservation  of properties,  and  thus  also  their  Outstanding  Universal  Value,  shall  be  done  within  a  framework  of monitoring processes for World Heritage properties.

All  properties  inscribed  on  the  World  Heritage  List  must  have  adequate  long-term  legislative, regulatory, institutional and/or traditional protection and management to ensure their safeguarding. This  protection  should  include  adequately  delineated  boundaries.  Similarly  States  Parties  should demonstrate adequate protection at the national, regional, municipal, and/or traditional level for the nominated  property.  They  should  append  appropriate  texts  to  the  nomination  with  a  clear explanation of the way this protection operates to protect the nominated property.

Legislative and regulatory measures at national and local levels should assure the protection of the property  from  social,  economic  and  other  pressures  or  changes  that  might  negatively  impact  the Outstanding  Universal  Value,  including  the  integrity  and/or  authenticity  of  the  property.  States Parties should also assure the full and effective implementation of such measures.

An effective management system depends on the type, characteristics and needs of the nominated property and its cultural and natural context. Management systems may vary according to different cultural  perspectives,  the  resources  available  and  other  factors.  They  may  incorporate  traditional practices, existing urban or regional planning instruments, and other planning control mechanisms, both formal and informal. Impact assessments for proposed interventions are essential for all World Heritage properties.

Effective management involves a cycle of short, medium and long-term actions to protect, conserve and present the nominated property. An integrated approach to planning and management is essential to  guide  the  evolution  of  properties  over  time  and  to  ensure  maintenance  of  all  aspects  of  their Outstanding Universal Value. This approach goes beyond the property to include any buffer zone(s), as well as the wider setting. The wider setting may relate to the property's topography, natural and built environment, and other elements such as infrastructure, land use patterns, spatial organization, and visual relationships. It may also include related social and cultural practices, economic processes and other intangible dimensions of heritage such as perceptions and associations. Management of the wider  setting  is  related  to  its  role  in  supporting  the  Outstanding  Universal  Value.  Its  effective management  may  also  contribute  to  sustainable  development,  through  harnessing  the  reciprocal benefits for heritage and society.

All dimensions of sustainable development should apply to natural, cultural and mixed properties in their  diversity.  These  dimensions  are  interdependent  and  mutually  reinforcing,  with  none  having predominance over another and each being equally necessary. States Parties should therefore review and reinforce governance frameworks within management systems of World Heritage properties in order to achieve the appropriate balance, integration and harmonization between the protection of OUV and the pursuit of sustainable development objectives. This will include the full respect and participation  of  all  stakeholders  and  rights  holders,  including  indigenous  peoples  and  local communities, the setting up of effective inter-institutional coordination mechanisms and provisions for  the  systematic  assessment  of  environmental,  social,  and  economic  impacts  of  all  proposed developments, as well as effective monitoring through continuity in data collection against agreed indicators.

The World Heritage Committee requests States Parties to implement best practice fire management strategies  to  ensure  the  protection  and  management  of  Outstanding  Universal  Value  (OUV) including, where appropriate, to:

- a) Prepare site-level fire vulnerability and risk assessments, mitigation, Risk Preparedness, response and recovery plans in the event of potential severe fire impacts on heritage values,
- b)  Incorporate  fire  research,  monitoring  of  impact,  emergency  response  and  mitigation  and preparedness measures into management decisions,
- c)  Work  with  stakeholders  to  raise  awareness  on  fire  risks  among  communities  and  build  greater capacity to respond and recover following fires,
- d) Consider customised approaches and strategies that reflect the characteristics and circumstances of naturally and anthropogenically generated fires,

e)  Explore the potential of new technologies for application in fire managing strategies, including monitoring, and firefighting systems, that will not have negative impact on OUV of the properties, f) Take strong actions to address human-induced climate change in line with global United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commitments.

The five objectives of the Strategy for Reducing Risks from Disaster at World Heritage Properties are the following:

- a) Strengthen support within relevant global, regional, national and local institutions for reducing risks at World Heritage properties;
- b) Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of disaster prevention at World Heritage properties;
- c) Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks at World Heritage properties;
- d) Reduce underlying risk factors at World Heritage properties;
- e) Strengthen disaster risk preparedness at World Heritage properties for effective response at all levels.

In the face of increasing disaster risks and the impact of climate change, States Parties should recognise  that  World  Heritage  represents  both  an  asset  to  be  protected  and  a  resource  to strengthen the ability of communities and their properties to resist, absorb, and recover from the effects of a hazard. In line with disaster risks and climate change multilateral agreements, States Parties should:

- i.  Recognise  and  promote  -  within  conservation  and  management  strategies  -  the  inherent potential of World Heritage properties for reducing disaster risks and adapting to climate change, through  associated  ecosystem  services,  traditional  knowledge  and  practices  and  strengthened social cohesion.

ii. Reduce the vulnerability of World Heritage properties and their settings as well as promote the social  and  economic  resilience  of  local  and  associated  communities  to  disaster  and  climate change  through  structural  and  non-structural  measures,  including  public  awareness-raising, training and education. Structural measures, in particular, should not adversely affect the OUV of World Heritage properties;

iii.  Enhance  preparedness  for  effective  response  and  'building-back-better'  in  post-disaster recovery  strategies  within  management  systems  and  conservation  practice  for  World  Heritage properties.

## Factors affecting properties

Conservation of the urban heritage should be integrated into general policy planning and practices and those related to the broader urban context. Policies should provide mechanisms for balancing conservation and sustainability in the short and long terms. Special emphasis should be placed on the harmonious, integration of contemporary interventions into the historic urban fabric. In particular, the responsibilities of the different stakeholders are the following:

(a) Member  States  should  integrate urban heritage conservation strategies into national development policies and agendas according to the historic urban landscape approach. Within this framework, local authorities should prepare urban development plans taking into account the area's  values,  including  the  landscape  and  other  heritage  values,  and  features  associated therewith;

(b) Public and private stakeholders should cooperate, inter alia, through partnerships to ensure the successful application of the historic urban landscape approach;

(c) International organizations dealing with sustainable development processes should integrate the historic urban landscape approach into their strategies, plans and operations;

(d) National and international non-governmental organizations should participate in developing and disseminating tools and best practices for the implementation of the historic urban landscape approach.

## Climate changeand severe weather events

The potential impacts of Climate Change  range from physical, to social and cultural aspects.Experience and lessons learned on addressing Climate Change impacts stress the need for using a number of management responses at national and local levels. The World Heritage Convention provides an opportunity to developstrategies to implement relevant actions in respect of cultural and natural heritage properties threatened by Climate Change. Given the complexity of  this  issue,  States  Parties  may  request  guidance  from  the  World  Heritage  Committee  to implement appropriate management responses to face the threats posed by Climate Change on their natural and cultural properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Conservation is the management of change, and Climate Change is one of the most significant global challenges facing society and the environment today. The actions that need to be taken to safeguard heritage are threefold:

- Preventive actions: monitoring, reporting and mitigation of Climate Change effects through environmentally  sound  choices  and  decisions  at  a  range  of  levels:  individual,  community, institutional and corporate.
- Corrective actions: adaptation to the reality of Climate Change through global and regional strategies and local management plans.
- Sharing  knowledge:  including  best  practices,  research,  communication,  public  and  political support, education and training, capacity building, networking, etc.

## Tourism and visitor management

World Heritage properties are important travel destinations that, if managed properly, have great potential  for  inclusive  local  economic  development,  sustainability  and  strengthening  social resilience.  Sustainable  forms  of  tourism  development,  including  community-based  initiatives, should be accompanied by inclusive and equitable economic investment to ensure benefit sharing in and around World Heritage properties.

## LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

|   Sl. No. | Name of State   | Name of the Heritage site                |
|-----------|-----------------|------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Uttar Pradesh   | Agra-Fort                                |
|         1 | Uttar Pradesh   | Taj Mahal                                |
|         1 | Uttar Pradesh   | Fatehpur Sikri                           |
|         2 | Maharashtra     | Ajanta Caves                             |
|         2 | Maharashtra     | Ellora Caves                             |
|         2 | Maharashtra     | Elephanta Caves                          |
|         3 | Karnataka       | Group of Monuments at Hampi              |
|         3 | Karnataka       | Group of Monuments at Pattadakal         |
|         4 | Madhya Pradesh  | Khajuraho, Group of Monuments            |
|         4 | Madhya Pradesh  | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi             |
|         4 | Madhya Pradesh  | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka               |
|         5 | Odisha          | Sun Temple, Konark                       |
|         6 | Tamil Nadu      | Great Living Chola Temples               |
|         6 | Tamil Nadu      | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram      |
|         7 | Delhi (NCT)     | Humayun's Tomb                           |
|         7 | Delhi (NCT)     | Qutb Minar and its Monuments             |
|         7 | Delhi (NCT)     | Red Fort Complex                         |
|         8 | Goa             | Churches and Convents of Goa             |
|         9 | Rajasthan       | Hill Forts of Rajasthan                  |
|        10 | Telangana       | Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple    |
|        11 | Bihar           | Archeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara |
|        12 | Gujarat         | Chapmaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park    |
|        12 | Gujarat         | Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen's Stepwell)       |
|        12 | Gujarat         | Dholavira: A Harappan City               |

Annexure B

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1816 FOR 13.02.2023

## DETAILS  OF  ALLOCATION  FOR  CONSERVATION  AND  PRESERVATION  OF  WORLD HERITAGE SITES FOR CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR

## (Amount Rs. in Crore)

|   Sl. No. | Name of State   | Name of the Heritage site                |   Allocation |
|-----------|-----------------|------------------------------------------|--------------|
|         1 | Uttar Pradesh   | Agra-Fort                                |         20   |
|         1 | Uttar Pradesh   | Taj Mahal                                |         20   |
|         1 | Uttar Pradesh   | Fatehpur Sikri                           |         20   |
|         2 | Maharashtra     | Ajanta Caves                             |         32.5 |
|         2 | Maharashtra     | Ellora Caves                             |         32.5 |
|         2 | Maharashtra     | Elephanta Caves                          |         32.5 |
|         3 | Karnataka       | Group of Monuments at Hampi              |         18.5 |
|         3 | Karnataka       | Group of Monuments at Pattadakal         |         18.5 |
|         4 | Madhya Pradesh  | Khajuraho, Group of Monuments            |         19.5 |
|         4 | Madhya Pradesh  | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi             |         19.5 |
|         4 | Madhya Pradesh  | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka               |         19.5 |
|         5 | Odisha          | Sun Temple, Konark                       |         13   |
|         6 | Tamil Nadu      | Great Living Chola Temples               |         18   |
|         6 | Tamil Nadu      | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram      |         18   |
|         7 | Delhi (NCT)     | Humayun's Tomb                           |         30   |
|         7 | Delhi (NCT)     | Qutb Minar and its Monuments             |         30   |
|         7 | Delhi (NCT)     | Red Fort Complex                         |         30   |
|         8 | Goa             | Churches and Convents of Goa             |          9   |
|         9 | Rajasthan       | Hill Forts of Rajasthan                  |         15   |
|        10 | Telangana       | Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple    |         15   |
|        11 | Bihar           | Archeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara |          6.5 |

| 12.   | Gujarat   | Chapmaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park   |   15.00 |
|-------|-----------|-----------------------------------------|---------|
| 12.   | Gujarat   | Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen's Stepwell)      |      15 |
| 12.   | Gujarat   | Dholavira: A Harappan City              |      15 |
|       |           | Total                                   |     212 |