‘Heritage tag could have slowed growth’1

NEW DELHI: A day after the Centre withdrew Delhi's nomination for a UNESCO World Heritage City tag, the culture ministry had defended this step stating that they were worried about its impact on the capital's development. The ministry said that Delhi is at a stage where development and growth need to be prioritized and a heritage tag could have become an impediment to their plans.

Speaking to TOI, Union culture minister Mahesh Sharma said, "The issue was heavily debated and it was felt that after the UNESCO status construction work would need interventions and regulations, which could hamper the capital city's growth and development. This concern was seconded by the urban development ministry after which the external affairs ministry decided to withdraw the nomination."

The minister quickly added that the culture ministry was proud of Delhi's nomination, but the "time was not right" as the government has plans regarding construction in the nominated zones. "The process has been ongoing for three years and we (culture ministry) are very supportive. The heritage tag would be a credit to the country. We will consider re-nominating the city in a few years, but right now the message has gone to UNESCO not to press the issue," he said.

In December 2014, TOI had reported that the UD ministry had opposed the UNESCO tag. The ministry had written to the Delhi government questioning the proposal to put Lutyens' Bungalow Zone and Shahjahanabad under the world heritage city tag. It said, "Such declaration may restrict urban development in these areas, because any new development will have to be in conformity with operational guidelines and accepted conservation guidelines under the World Heritage Convention, 1972."

The old quarters of Delhi viewed from a "heritage-loving" vantage point, the India’s government has withdrawn Delhi’s nomination for UNESCO world heritage city over concerns that it would have hampered "infrastructure and construction" plans
The old quarters of Delhi viewed from a "heritage-loving" vantage point, the India’s government has withdrawn Delhi’s nomination for UNESCO world heritage city over concerns that it would have hampered "infrastructure and construction" plans - "Once the city comes into that heritage list, you are unable to make some construction in the city plans and land use plans, so it will become difficult. With that view the government has taken a decision to withdraw the nomination," Mahesh Sharma, India's culture minister, told the local NDTV news channel.The previous government had filed the initial nomination in 2012 and the final dossier, prepared by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), was sent in January last year.(two) People on social media criticised the government move as Delhi’s heritage sites lure tourists from across the world.Sad news. Shortsighted. #Delhi withdraws from UNESCO #Heritage City process just weeks before completion. #india https://t.co/bex51LkJ5S— David Kaner (@DavidKaner) May 22, 2015If urban development means not safeguarding the past its unfortunate. A UNESCO heritage city tag to Delhi wld have helped preserve it— Rana Safvi رعنا ???? (@iamrana) May 22, 2015

UNESCO status would’ve boosted tourism: Experts1

NEW DELHI: It's the age-old debate of heritage versus development. Area wise both the zones of Shahjahanabad and LBZ, nominated for Delhi's Imperial Capital Cities dossier, combined are less than 2% of the capital's total area. Experts stress that a World Heritage City tag would in no way lead to additional restrictions in either the nominated areas or the rest of the city.

Many pointed out that cities like Rome, Florence, Edinburgh, and other European cities are not only proud of their world heritage status but also well-developed to provide their citizens good living standards.

Historian and author William Dalrymple said it was complete short-sightedness on part of the government to stop Delhi's bid for world heritage city. "The government does not realize that they are sitting on a goldmine and how the inscription would have boosted Indian tourism and improved Delhi's image. Some of the most prosperous cities in the world, like Paris, Rome, London, Edinburgh, are all world heritage cities and this has not affected development," he said.

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However, a few think that the city was not prepared for the inscription. "With the condition Shahjahanabad is in, it would have been difficult to convince UNESCO we could maintain it. While withdrawing the nomination is embarrassing, a rejection from UNESCO would have been even worse," said Vikramjeet Rooprai, founder of Youth for Heritage Foundation.