Assam’s Moidams to get UNESCO World Heritage Site tag on July-end

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 19, 2024

The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in New Delhi on July 21, will focus on several significant topics, including the evaluation of the Moidams of the Tai Ahom dynasty in Assam’s Charaideo district for potential recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

India, for the first time, is hosting UNESCO’s 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi from July 21 to 31.

The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 21 at 7 pm at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The Moidams are burial mounds that represent the rich cultural heritage and history of the Tai Ahom dynasty, which ruled parts of Assam for approximately 600 years. These structures are significant for their architectural, historical, and cultural values, reflecting the unique blend of Tai Ahom and local traditions.

During the session, the committee will assess the pros and cons of granting World Heritage status to these Moidams. The potential benefits include increased international recognition, tourism, and conservation funding. However, there may also be challenges such as managing increased tourist footfall, ensuring sustainable development, and maintaining the integrity of the site against potential threats from modernization and environmental changes.

The decision on whether to recognize the Moidams of the Tai Ahom dynasty as a World Heritage Site will have far-reaching implications for cultural preservation and tourism in Assam.

In addition to Moidams. The Committee will also examine 27 nominations from around the world, including 19 cultural, 4 natural, and 2 mixed sites.

Delegates from across the globe will discuss and collaborate on preserving our shared cultural, natural and mixed heritage. The meeting is a significant step towards fostering global cooperation and protecting our World Heritage properties.

The World Heritage Committee meets once a year and consists of representatives from 21 of the states parties to the convention elected by their General Assembly.

The Ministry of Culture (MoC) and its attached office, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are the nodal agencies to host the session this year.

The session has a comprehensive agenda addressing various critical issues. Reports from the previous session and the World Heritage Centre will be reviewed. The committee will discuss the state of conservation of World Heritage properties, focusing on those inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The nomination process for new World Heritage sites will be examined, including updates to the World Heritage List. The session will also cover the implementation of the Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting and the review of international assistance.