By Our Reporter
Shillong: The State Assembly on Friday adopted the Meghalaya heritage Bill paving the way for preservation of heritage sites of the State.
The Bill seeks to set up a ‘Meghalaya Heritage Authority’ which is mandated to identify historical, cultural and environmental structures or sites for their conservation. For this purpose a special fund would be created by the government.
Earlier, Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri suggested that the State Government should take over the entire responsibility for maintaining and upkeep of the private heritage sites.
Moving an amendment Bill he said the government should take a leaf out of the British Government which maintains all heritage sites and buildings without disturbing ownership rights.
He also advocated for creation of a ‘Meghalaya Heritage Hall’ to showcase the unique socio-cultural traditions of the State and even put statues of the stalwarts like the State’s first Chief Minister Capt Williamson Sangma and father of the Sixth Schedule late JJM Nichols-Roy.
“Many of the younger generations may not be aware about the contributions of these great leaders towards the people of the State,” Chaudhuri said.
He also suggested for promoting ‘heritage tourism’ by creating a tourism circuit in the State.
He also advocated for converting the houses in which late Mother Teresa, Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda had stayed in Shillong into heritage sites.
In reply, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that it is difficult for the Government to take over the private heritage sites due to the unique land tenure system of the State.
“We are all aware that the lands where the various heritage sites are located either belong to the clan, Raid, Syiem, Hima or a trust. It is not possible for the Government to take over these heritage sites,” Ampareen said.
She also said that it would be difficult for the Government to take over the upkeep and maintenance of these heritage sites.
