Raj to hold convention on preserving heritage properties

A two-day convention to focus on preserving heritage properties while promoting heritage tourism will be held in Bharatpur on September 13 and 14, officials said on Monday.

Organised by the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA), the convention on 'Revitalising India as a Heritage Destination' will witness national and international experts speak on preservation of heritage buildings, museums and promoting lesser-known destinations.

The convention will strive to preserve heritage properties from decay while promoting heritage tourism in the in-bound tourism market, IHHA general secretary Randhir Vikram Singh said.

It will also bring to the forefront 'battlefield tourism', which aims to recreate the grand battles of Rajasthan. Similarly, role of next generation heritage owners and spousal participation in property management will also be discussed, he said.

Rajendra Singh Pachar, the convention chairman, said that there was a need to also look into the preservation of privately owned properties which are being used by the public.

These properties are being destroyed because the private owners do not have the means to restore them and they do not want government investment because they fear losing ownership of the properties, he said.

In such cases, the government needs to implement schemes and policies which look into restoring these properties, he added.