Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : India, under visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, secured the nomination of the “Historic City of Ahmadabad” on UNESCO’s World Heritage list on July 8, 2017, during the 41st Session of World Heritage Committee.
This makes the walled city of Ahmedabad the first city in India and the third in Asia to figure in the World Heritage List. In the past 3 years alone, India has managed to put five built heritage sites on the world heritage list of UNESCO. India now has overall 36 World Heritage Inscriptions with 28 Cultural, 7 Natural and one Mixed site, according to a PIB release. While India stands second largest in number after China in terms of number of world heritage properties in ASPAC (Asia and Pacific) region, it is overall seventh in the world.
Founded in 15th century, the walled city of Ahmadabad, on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, presents a rich architectural heritage. Within this complex are 28 ASI Centrally Protected Monuments. The urban structures of the historic city of Ahmedabad are distinctive due to their puras (neighbourhoods), pols (residential streets), and khadki (inner entrances to pols) largely made of timber, according to the PIB release. The international recognition to the city will boost the local economy in a number of ways. It is expected to give a tremendous fillip to domestic and international tourism leading to increased employment generation.