Raipur
MP Rajiv Shukla had said to include the historic Sirpur city of Chhattisgarh in the list of world heritage sites during the zero period in the Rajya Sabha last year. On this, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has informed the MP through a letter directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take action on the proposal.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told through the letter that the memorial and site of Sirpur, including the Laxman Temple of Sirpur, are under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India, Raipur Division. Regular maintenance work is performed in the site, and the monuments are preserved in good condition.
The Union Minister said that inclusion of a heritage site in the World Heritage List is a complex and long process. For this it is necessary to meet one or more criteria set by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, as mentioned in their operational guidelines. Additionally, the authenticity and integrity of the site should be displayed.