GoI recommends Western Ghats to be considered as World Heritage Site

The Government of India (GoI) has recommended Western Ghats to be considered as 'World Heritage Site.’ Addressing a press conference recently in Madikeri in Karnataka, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) team led by Herve Barre- culture department; Art Pederson-World Heritage Centre and Nicole Bolomey-Culture Tangible Heritage, which conducted a workshop, said that the recommendation papers received from GoI were being processed. According to a UNI report, the theme of the three-day workshop was 'communities, livelihood and tourism.' Replying to question on whether declaring Western Ghats as world heritage site will restrict the movement of local residents and hinder developmental activities, the UNESCO team said it will be decided by the local government. About 30 foreign and Indian delegates participated in the workshop organised by the Karnataka Tourism Department.