Envisioning revamped terrains of Gwalior and Orchha, the Madhya Pradesh government has collaborated with UNESCO to thrust heritage-based development in the two cities. The global body has tied up with the state Tourism Department, in alignment with its suggestions from 2011 wherein, it highlighted the importance of the Historic Urban Landscape approach as an instrument to drive sustainable development. Now, the two historic cities are expected to be benefitted across a range of sectors.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FOrchha-Fort-Complex-in-Orchha.-.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.india.com&s=909&h=e252751cd47201eeaa6f983bb0a60e11c81890e3f05c9f3daa84aabef8645696&size=980x&c=2344155034 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://www.india.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Orchha-Fort-Complex-in-Orchha.-.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2019%252F05%252FOrchha-Fort-Complex-in-Orchha.-.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.india.com%26s%3D909%26h%3De252751cd47201eeaa6f983bb0a60e11c81890e3f05c9f3daa84aabef8645696%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2344155034%22%7D" expand=1]
At the launch event, the CM had affirmed that the initiative would aid in the preservation of the cultural heritage. He expressed gratitude towards the central administration and UNESCO for taking up this scheme. Further, he mentioned, "Madhya Pradesh since long has maintained a lot of potential for religious tourism. Now with this decisive partnership with UNESCO, historical, cultural and religious tourism will become even more prevalent."
State Tourism and Culture Minister asserted that the project would accelerate notable developments in the cities from cultural and spiritual perspectives. Besides, measures will also be taken to assure that the natural diversity stands preserved.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fmedia%2Fattractions-content--1x-1%2F0b%2F39%2Fa2%2Ff2.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tacdn.com&s=833&h=ff23676ce733497e0393abebf781a2232710c960f930b00afe4f20774307b685&size=980x&c=4067048371 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-content--1x-1/0b/39/a2/f2.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fmedia%252Fattractions-content--1x-1%252F0b%252F39%252Fa2%252Ff2.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmedia.tacdn.com%26s%3D833%26h%3Dff23676ce733497e0393abebf781a2232710c960f930b00afe4f20774307b685%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4067048371%22%7D" expand=1]
The UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape approach is a comprehensive program to supplement urban heritage conservation with social and economic progress. Given that the two cities of Gwalior and Orchha have a flourishing culture and special development requirements, it would be interesting to note the results of this pilot project.
Notably, Lucknow-based UNESCO heritage expert, Nishant Upadhyaya is also going to be part of this project. With his organisation-Dharatal, the senior architect would play a crucial role in the execution of the proposed plans.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fadventures%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F11%2FIntrepid-Travel-India_Orchha_ss_402067720-1.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.intrepidtravel.com&s=56&h=3988db8c5af7940bd83aecf899e8eb513a3a759f4506d427950511072774b3b7&size=980x&c=778027612 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Intrepid-Travel-India_Orchha_ss_402067720-1.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fadventures%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2018%252F11%252FIntrepid-Travel-India_Orchha_ss_402067720-1.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.intrepidtravel.com%26s%3D56%26h%3D3988db8c5af7940bd83aecf899e8eb513a3a759f4506d427950511072774b3b7%26size%3D980x%26c%3D778027612%22%7D" expand=1]
Blanketed by rapid worldly developments, very few cities of India have been able to preserve their true historical virtue, and Orchha & Gwalior are surely amongst them! Lying in close proximity to Indore, the quaint towns can send you on a soothing trip of peace and rejuvenation, away from the chaos of the modern world.
With a quintessential amalgamation of nature, culture, history and mythology, the two districts promise to be offbeat adventures for your insatiable wanderlust. Adorned with exceptional wonders, Orchha and Gwalior surely deserve a spot in your post-pandemic getaway plans from Indore.
- With inputs from IANS
To get all the latest content, download our mobile application. Available for both iOS & Android devices.