Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is making a strong presence at the ongoing UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session in New Delhi Bharat Mandapam. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will aim to highlight its diverse cultural and natural heritage at this global platform. The 11-day event will be hosting over 2000 delegates from 195 countries where proposals for nomination of new sites to the UNESCO World Heritage List, status of conservation reports of 124 existing World Heritage Sites from India, international assistance and utilization of World Heritage Fund, etc. will be discussed. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism and Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi Minister of State (Independent Charge) Culture, Tourism, Religious Trust and Endowment Madhya Pradesh visited the exhibition.
Madhya Pradesh has set up a dedicated stall to showcase its unique offerings to the world. Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla, emphasized the significance of this platform in fostering international cooperation for heritage preservation. The state aims to leverage this opportunity to promote its 11 UNESCO tentative heritage sites for inclusion in the prestigious World Heritage List.
M.P’s Special session on 24th July
A key highlight is Madhya Pradesh’s special session on July 24th, organised in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This event will focus on urban heritage and the implementation of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) recommendations in Orchha and Gwalior. Madhya Pradesh aims to strengthen its position as a premier tourist destination and a custodian of India's rich cultural heritage by participating in this global forum.
UNESCO heritage sites of the state
Madhya Pradesh currently boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Khajuraho temple complex, Bhimbetka caves and Sanchi Stupa. The state is actively working to expand this list by securing World Heritage status for iconic sites holding position in the tentative list of UNESCO including Gwalior Fort of Madhya Pradesh, Khooni Bhandara in Burhanpur, Rock Art Sites of the Chambal Valley, the Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, at Bhojpur, the Gond monuments of Ramnagar in Mandla, the historic ensemble of Dhamnar, Group of Monuments at Mandu, the historic ensemble of Orchha, Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in Narmada Valley, Satpura Tiger Reserve, and Chanderi - Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters of India.