APPEAL OF THE DIRECTOR FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT FOR WORLD HERITAGE DAY ON 18 TH APRIL, 2019
The World Heritage Day is observed on 18th of April every year.On this occasion, a symposium organized by ICOMOS in Tunisia, the holding of the “International Day for Monuments and Sites” to be celebrated simultaneously throughout the world was accepted by the UNESCO General Conference who passed a resolution at its 22nd session in November 1983 recommending that every April 18th be declared “International Monuments and Sites Day”. This has been traditionally called the “World Heritage Day”. World Heritage Day is celebrated to raise the awareness about the preserving human heritage, diversity and vulnerability of the world’s built monuments and heritage sites.
The heritage sites help us to understand our own ancient culture. Heritage tourism is huge and helps drive the economy of several communities. This also helps people from other parts of the world understand and learn from our culture. Preserving heritage sites thus help sustain the local economy, creating jobs, and even generating capital. The preservation of historic sites is a one-way-street. This brings to light the importance of locating and preserving a building of historic significance because once a piece of history is lost, it is lost forever.
On this occasion of World Heritage Day, ancient monuments and buildings in the countries make them stand tall on the world map. World Heritage Day is an opportunity to boost awareness about the assortment of cultural legacy and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve them and also to think about its susceptibility. “Conservation of heritage buildings is very important because it provides a sense of identity and continuity in a fast changing world for future generations. Heritage buildings basically represent the past history and culture of a nation. Therefore, heritage buildings need an important tool to protect them. To preserve Heritage we have to pursue the following:
· Prevent ourselves and others from scribbling on the walls of heritage sites.
· Participating in the regular Cleanliness Drives.
· Being a part of the 'Adopt a Heritage' initiative.
· Spreading awareness around about these monuments and their importance.
Director of Environment