World Heritage Day

Monuments and sites can only be protected with the collective efforts of the international community

World Heritage Day was observed on Tuesday across the world including Bangladesh to raise awareness on the importance of protecting and preserving heritage, which is defined as the “shared wealth of humankind”. The day is a reminder of rich past of humankind. 
On April 18, 1982 the International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) organised a symposium in Tunisia where calls were made for celebration of an “International Day for Monuments and Sites” around the world. The idea gained popularity and the committee sent the proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The general conference of UNESCO passed the resolution in November 1983 on this day. Since then, the world annually celebrates the “International Monuments and Sites Day” as “World Heritage Day” on April 18.
Monuments and sites can only be protected with the collective efforts of the international community. Awareness campaigns are organised on this day to educate public on the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve this human heritage.
We have an inherent responsibility to protect and preserve what we have been endowed  with.  The preservation of cultural heritage sites is not only foundational to shape the philosophical vision of a nation, if conserved properly; it could also positively impact the growth of tourism industry in Bangladesh. Despite interests from local and global historians and researchers the major historical sites — Satgambuj Masjid, Tara Masjid, Ahsan Manjil, and number of heritage buildings at Shakhari Bazaar — are in declining and decaying state. Such is the case with many buildings that were declared heritage sites in 2003 by the government. According to a survey conducted by USG, some 40 buildings that were declared ‘protected’ by government authorities were demolished, partially destroyed or effaced. Experts and activists who are for long campaigning for proper restoration and conservation of these buildings state, the lack of coordination between the Department of Archaeology and the Rahjdhani Unnayan Katripakkha is part of the reason that we are losing our heritage.
Heritage does not mean only built or natural wonders. It also refers to living heritage, like customs, rituals, literature and the performing arts. Traditional societies like Bangladesh are especially rich in this domain of intangible cultural heritage, as all relations are not crisply monetised. 

World Heritage Day

Monuments and sites can only be protected with the collective efforts of the international community

World Heritage Day was observed on Tuesday across the world including Bangladesh to raise awareness on the importance of protecting and preserving heritage, which is defined as the shared wealth of humankind. The day is a reminder of rich past of humankind. On April 18, 1982 the International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) organised a symposium in Tunisia where calls were made for celebration of an International Day for Monuments and Sites around the world. The idea gained popularity and the committee sent the proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The general conference of UNESCO passed the resolution in November 1983 on this day. Since then, the world annually celebrates the International Monuments and Sites Day as World Heritage Day on April 18. Monuments and sites can only be protected with the collective efforts of the international community. Awareness campaigns are organised on this day to educate public on the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve this human heritage. We have an inherent responsibility to protect and preserve what we have been endowed with. The preservation of cultural heritage sites is not only foundational to shape the philosophical vision of a nation, if conserved properly; it could also positively impact the growth of tourism industry in Bangladesh. Despite interests from local and global historians and researchers the major historical sites Satgambuj Masjid, Tara Masjid, Ahsan Manjil, and number of heritage buildings at Shakhari Bazaar are in declining and decaying state. Such is the case with many buildings that were declared heritage sites in 2003 by the government. According to a survey conducted by USG, some 40 buildings that were declared protected by government authorities were demolished, partially destroyed or effaced. Experts and activists who are for long campaigning for proper restoration and conservation of these buildings state, the lack of coordination between the Department of Archaeology and the Rahjdhani Unnayan Katripakkha is part of the reason that we are losing our heritage. Heritage does not mean only built or natural wonders. It also refers to living heritage, like customs, rituals, literature and the performing arts. Traditional societies like Bangladesh are especially rich in this domain of intangible cultural heritage, as all relations are not crisply monetised.