17th century Red Fort will be pitted against 44 other sites from across the globe when the World Heritage Committee meets in New Zealand
NEW DELHI: The 17th century Red Fort will be pitted against 44 other sites from across the globe when the World Heritage Committee meets in New Zealand on June 23 to choose the next world heritage site.
“We are hopeful that the Red Fort will get the world heritage status. We have prepared our nomination that fulfils all the criteria perfectly,” Union Culture Secretary Badal K Das said.
The decision on the 45 sites, including Red Fort, will be taken at the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee meeting at Christchurch in New Zealand from June 23 to July 2.
“We are very optimistic about Red Fort. We have already sent our report which deals with how we are going to protect the monument from climate change and pollution. These are some of the key criteria,” C Babu Rajeev, consultant with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who will be representing India at the meeting, said.
Experts from the International Commission on Monuments and Sites had given a favourable report on the Red Fort in 2006 and that was submitted to the committee along with India’s report. The site was also examined by a UNESCO team last year.
The ASI for many years has taken several steps to conserve and beautify the fort built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in 1648. The Fort was being considered in 1993 but as at that time it was occupied by army, the decision to nominate it was deferred.
One site is awarded world heritage status in a year. India has so far got the status for 26 sites, including Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Agra Fort, Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
Red Fort has a tough fight ahead. There are 44 other sites nominated by 38 countries globally. Last year, the largest freshwater Islands Majuli in Brahmaputra river, failed to make to the list.
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