Efforts on to enlist Kangla, Keibul Lamjao in World Heritage site: Joy
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, December 23 2024: Manipur State Archaeology Department, under the Department of Art & Culture, inaugurated the World Heritage Week 2024 observance (December 23 & 24) with a grand opening ceremony at Kangla Hall in Kangla Fort on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Art & Culture commissioner M Joy Singh emphasised the importance of making the masses aware about heritage and highlighted the role played of UNESCO in preserving and promoting the world's heritage.

Quoting UNESCO's definition of heritage as "the legacy passed down from past generations to the present and future generations", he described it as a valuable property that must be protected in order to preserve the cultural and natural roots of humanity.

Joy continued that heritage is categorised into cultural and natural, with the former comprising tangible culture such as museums, monuments, artefacts, culture, sports, music, dance and skills, while natural heritage refers to intangible culture such as hills range, lakes and the entire biodiversity.

"These heritages are an irreplaceable source of life and inspiration," he noted, while informing that that since adoption of the World Heritage Convention by UNESCO in 1972, a total of 1223 heritage sites has been recognised worldwide, including 65 from Manipur.

He then revealed that efforts are on to include Kangla and Keibul Lamjao National Park, which are already in the tentative list, in the final World Heritage Sites list.

Presiding over the function, Art & Culture director K Dinamani Singh called for the expansion of World Heritage Week activities beyond Imphal to 51 districts of Manipur.

He stressed the need for widespread awareness, highlighting that the event's primary objective is to educate the public about the significance of heritage.

Manipur University History retired HOD professor N Joykumar was guest of honour of the observance which had Ideal Girls' College Department of History assistant professor Dr K Ruhinikumar Sharma delivering a talk on "Folklore is part of Historical Reconstruction" as resource person.

The event also featured an exhibition and the release of a special publication titled "Compendium of Gazettes & Orders of 65 Protected Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites of Manipur" .

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