'Law neeeded to protect heritage sites, buildings'
Madurai (PTI): A law should be framed to protect heritage sites and buildings as there is a 'mindless destruction' of these sites, Major General L K Gupta, Head of the Chapters Division of Indian National Trust and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) said on Saturday.
Inaugurating the Madurai Chapter of INTACH,he also stressed the need to create awareness about protecting these sites and culture. "Where heritage and culture is protected there is scope for development of tourism and economic development."
After INTACH, a Non governmental Organisation involved itself in protecting and renovating heritage sites, around 800 buildings and 25 precincts in India had been protected. Steps were being taken to conserve the other sites, he said.
He also said people in the locality need to know about the value of the heritage sites and history behind them so that they can extend cooperation whenever efforts are taken to protect them.
Stating that INTACH had 140 chapters throughout India, he said Government officials including secretaries of the Culture and Tourism Departments and Archaeological Survey of India were now offering more help to protect heritage sites.
Besides, international organisations like UNESCO had recognised the role of INTACH in protecting sites and had given it "consultant status". It had signed a MoU with the Australian Heritage body to promote tourism and protect culture.
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