From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Some of the unique sites in Meghalaya could find a place in the coveted UNESCO heritage list following a meeting between the UNSECO Director and Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma here.
Meghalaya has been carved by the hands of nature with picturesque landscape of undulating hills, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls and unmatched views of deep ravines, gorges and caves, Dr Sangma said during the meeting.
“Its sacred groves, living root bridges, majestic monoliths and amazing rock formations, can vie for heritage sites,” he told the Director during the meeting on Thursday.
The World Heritage Sites are places of importance of cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
It broadly identifies the Cultural Heritage Sites (monuments, groups of buildings and sites) while the natural sites refer to natural features, geological and physiographical formations and natural sites.
There are 911 properties under the World Heritage List, which cover 711 cultural sites, 180 natural sites and 27 mixed properties encompassing 152 countries, including India. The Nonrek biosphere reserve in Meghalaya is already listed by the UNESCO in its heritage sites.
India’s first two sites in the UNESCO list were the Agra Fort and the Ajanta Caves. Over the years, 30 more sites have been inscribed, the latest being the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
India is submitting a list of more sites and properties for inclusion out of which some are Meghalaya, the Chief Minister said.
Listing such sites or properties in the heritage list by UNESCO will not only help their preservation but also attract the much needed national and international tourists to the state, Dr Sangma said.