The Department of Archaeology and Museums (DAM) has sought increased cooperation of the Archaeological Survey of India so that monuments of Karnataka and Telangana can be nominated for the coveted World Heritage Site tag.
The Deccani Sultanate serial nomination entails joint dossier preparation by the Telangana and Karnataka governments.
Telangana nominations include Charminar, Qutb Shahi Heritage Park (QSHP) and Golconda Fort. Those from Karnataka include monuments in Vijaypura (Bijapur), Bidar and Kalaburgi (Gulbarga).
In a letter addressed to the ASI Director General, department director N.R. Visalatchy requested that, apart from officials at the head office in New Delhi, the ASI also nominate superintending archaeologists of the Hyderabad and Dharwad circles so that the nomination dossier and site management plans can be chalked out.
AKTC role
While the recently extended MoU with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is involved in conservation of QSHP, states that the latter will assist DAM in preparing a nomination dossier, it is unclear if that will be done.
Speaking to The Hindu , Ms. Visalatchy said the serial nomination process is at a preliminary stage and so, it would be difficult to comment on whether the department will prepare the dossier on its own or engage a consultant.
