Tourism promotion should not be at the expense of our cultural heritage. Heritage is a fragile resource and once destroyed it cannot be recovered, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) member Rani Sarma has said.
Delivering the keynote address at a meeting organised by INTACH in connection with the presentation of awards to various people who had worked for the conservation of heritage at a hotel here on Sunday, she expressed concern over ‘commoditisation’ of heritage to promote tourism by the government departments. Swami Vivekananda had said over 100 years ago that “Indian youth have forgotten their heritage.”
“Today, after so many years, how far have we succeeded in preserving our heritage,” she wondered.
She explained about the Buddhist heritage sites in and around Visakhapatnam and lack of conservation efforts by the departments concerned.
While admitting that tourism was a money spinner and job provider, Ms. Rani Sarma called for involvement and training of the local people to promote tourism without destroying the sanctity of the heritage sites. She gave examples of how local people cherish the sites in their vicinity and were keen on their conservation.
District Collector Pravin Kumar was present.
Later, awards were presented to the winners in various categories.
