Cheer spread in the tourism as well as the art and culture sector in Rajasthan when its 6 hill forts were selected to be in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The hills forts are – Amber, Chittorgarh, Gangron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh and Ranthambore.
The Minister for Tourism, Art & Culture, Bina Kak said, “The selection of these forts is a reflection of our work done in the past. We stand by our commitment towards conservation and protection of our rich cultural heritage, of which we are immensely proud.”
Kak further informed that the hills forts were approved in the 37th Meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Pnom Penh, Cambodia, today. The selection of these forts, located in different cities of Rajasthan, as a serial cultural property, is the first of its kind ever by UNESCO.
She further elaborated that with the selection of these six forts they will receive enhanced international recognition the way the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur did after being selected in the World Heritage List in 2010. This selection will also pave way for other monuments to be nominated for being included in the World Heritage List.
The ICOMOS (Advisory body of UNESCO) report recognizes the Outstanding Universal Value of Hill Forts with the following statement, “Within the State of Rajasthan, six extensive and majestic hill forts together reflect the elaborate, fortified seats of power of the Rajput princely states that flourished between the 8th and 18th centuries and their relative political independence. The extensive fortifications up to 20 kilometres in circumference optimised various kinds of hill terrain, specifically the river in Gagron, the dense forests at Ranthambore, and the desert of Jaisalmer. It also exhibits an important phase of development in architectural typology based on established “traditional Indian principles”.
Work relating to Stepwells of Abhaneri, Bandikui, Bundi as well as the Fresco paintings of Shekhawati region for consideration to UNESCO list has already begun. Ms. Bina Kak reaffirmed that all these efforts will reinforce positioning of Rajasthan on the world tourism map as a favored tourist destination.
