India Proposes Sarnath as World Heritage Site

India has officially submitted a proposal to include the 'Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath' in UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List, targeting the 2025-26 nomination cycle, the government informed Parliament on Monday.

In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat detailed the process, stating that this year's nomination follows the Operational Guidelines of 2024, which allows only one property submission per cycle. The entire nomination process takes approximately 1.5 years.

Shekhawat also addressed concerns over community heritage sites, highlighting that while there's no specific grant scheme for these, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ensures all protected monuments are well-preserved. Additionally, the ASI is implementing digital technology for improved visitor experiences and conducts programs to engage the youth in cultural heritage preservation.

(With inputs from agencies.)