Ahmedabad takes first step towards new glory

When Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) chief IP Gautam on Sunday hands over documents prepared on Ahmedabad - World Heritage City -- to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) chief Dr Gautam Sengupta, the city will take its first step towards entering the race to bag the status of World Heritage City from UNESCO.

Gautam will initiate the procedure at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day international conference on Asian World Heritage Cities starting from Sunday.

The international workshop will have participation from eight countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Sri Lanka and some 21 Indian cities.

The presentation of the documents will enable Ahmedabad to enter the list of Indian cities that have so far shown interest in getting the status of World Heritage City from UNESCO. As per norms, Ahmedabad has to make its bid before the deadline, January 2011.

"With the presentation of documents, Ahmedabad will enter the race to become a World Heritage City, a tentative list which is prepared by the centre. It is imperative for Ahmedabad to get the top position in the Centre’s list, as UNESCO will then consider the city for the status," said advisor to AMC Heritage Cell, Debashish Nayak.

He said, the city's proposal would be recommended by the Centre to UNESCO in 2012, if Ahmedabad is on the top of the list.
At the workshop, experts will speak on economic benefits of heritage city status, mainstreaming urban heritage planning, heritage management, and protection and promotion of heritage city.

The conference is jointly organised by Unesco, ASI, Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN) and National Institute of Urban Affairs.