World Heritage Week (WHW) is annually observed across India from November 19 to 25 to promote the heritage and the culture of monuments and important sites for their conservation.
- From November 19–25, 2022, the Department of Archives, Archaeology, and Museums observes World Heritage Week.
Background:
World Heritage Week is part of the promotion activities by the Government of India (GoI) to encourage the preservation of historical places all around India.
Note: World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites is annually observed across the globe on April 18. The theme of World Heritage Day 2022 is ‘Heritage and Climate’.
Celebration of WHW 2022
i. As a part of the World Heritage Week 2022 celebration, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued an order in exercise of Rule 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, directing free entry to the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh (except the main mausoleum) for public on 19th November 2022.
- ASI also announced that to mark the beginning of World Heritage Week on November 19, entry will be free for all monuments of the ASI.
ii. In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums hosts 2 mega-exhibitions during World Heritage Week from November 19 to November 25, 2022. (J&K). The Exhibitions will be held at
- Art Gallery Sher-Garhi Complex Old Assembly Complex, Srinagar, J&K, on the theme ‘Rare Manuscripts and Archival Heritage‘
- P.S Museum Lal Mandi Srinagar, J&K, on the theme ‘Monumental Glory of Kashmir‘.
iii. ASI, Nagpur Circle, in collaboration with the Central Museum, Nagpur (Maharashtra) organises a Photo Exhibition on “Traditional Water Conservation Systems in India” at the Central Museum, Nagpur from 19th November to 25th November 2022.
ASI Protection of monuments:
i. In accordance with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act’s 1958 provisions, the ASI protects national monuments, sites, and relics by providing a two-month notice and inviting any objections that may be made.
ii. The ASI decides whether to include a monument in its protection after the allotted 2-month period and after carefully examining any complaints filed in this regard.
iii. More than 3650 ancient structures, archaeological sites, and relics are currently of national significance.
UNESCO Heritage Sites in India:
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention, 40 Properties in India have been added to the World Heritage List.
- There are 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed as recognised by UNESCO.
- India has the 6th largest number of World Heritage Sites in the world
About the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
Director-General- V Vidyavathi (IAS)
Establishment- 1861 (under the Ministry of Culture)
About the Ministry of Culture:
Minister of Culture- G. Kishan Reddy (Constituency- Secunderabad, Telangana)
Minister of State- Arjun Ram Meghwal & Meenakshi Lekhi
