UNESCO to help Punjab formulate cultural heritage policy

To showcase its rich legacy and cultural heritage, Punjab government has decided to formulate a cultural heritage policy with assistance from UNESCO.
The policy is likely to be finalised by May 31 next year, a state government release said.
A delegation of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation monitoring panel team led by its co-chairpersons Richard Engelhardt and Sudha Pillai today called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to update him about the status of the project.
Engelhardt informed the Chief Minister that the underlying objective of the cultural policy was to protect and promote natural and cultural heritage, while enhancing international mutual understanding among nations.

He said the UNESCO would give technical assistance to the state to develop its cultural heritage policy and strategic frameworks, as well as the implementation strategy for protection and conservation of its cultural resources.
He expressed hope that this joint initiative of the state government and UNESCO would serve as a pilot project to cover varied fields of craft forms, heritage, archives, museums and intangible cultural heritage.

Engelhardt said the Chief Minister's decision to impose cess of one per cent on the upcoming infrastructure development projects for raising funds for cultural heritage monuments and memorials was a good one.
Badal assured the delegation that the state government would offer all help and support to the UNESCO team for the formulation of the policy.

He said after the success of heritage projects like Khalsa Heritage Complex at Sri Anandpur sahib, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur war Memorial at Chaparchiri at Mohali, among others, now the state government had planned to set up a state-of-the- art Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kapurthala to highlight the contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle.
Pillai said the state government should propose a comprehensive action plan for the conservation and promotion of Punjab Heritage to the 14th Finance Commission for seeking funds for the implementation of its cultural heritage policy.