Guwahati, July 10 (IANS). The Assam government on Friday announced a major roadmap to achieve UNESCO recognition for some of the state’s most famous cultural and historical heritage sites. These include Bihu, the Vaishnava cultural tradition of Majuli and the Ahom capital Rangpur in Sivasagar.
Presenting the Budget 2026-27 in the Assam Assembly, Finance Minister Jayant Malla Barua said the state will seek nomination under UNESCO’s cultural, natural and intangible heritage categories. Its objective is to save the unique heritage of Assam and enhance its global identity.
This initiative follows the successful nomination of ‘Charaidev Moidam’ as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The state government had described it as a major achievement in presenting the rich cultural heritage of Assam to the international community.
Barua said the proposed nominations would be done in phases. It is expected that this will strengthen heritage conservation efforts as well as create new opportunities for cultural tourism and global engagement.
Under the heritage conservation agenda, the state government also announced that work on the ‘Rang Ghar Conservation Project’ will be expedited.
Restoration, conservation and development of tourist infrastructure for the historic ‘Kareng Ghar’, another prominent Ahom-era monument, will also be undertaken.
The budget also laid emphasis on preserving the Vaishnav heritage of Assam. The Assam government said adequate financial assistance will be provided for the comprehensive development of ‘Madhupur Satra’, the holy site associated with the last years of the life of 15th century saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardev.
The project will include heritage conservation, improved facilities for pilgrims and expansion of cultural infrastructure. To institutionalize the preservation of the state’s monastic traditions, the state government announced that the ‘Assam Session Commission’ would be constituted and empowered.
The budget also proposed to organize a grand Bihu festival in New Delhi to present the cultural identity of Assam to the national audience.
In another major cultural initiative, the state government announced financial assistance to make commercial feature films on the great Ahom military commander Lachit Barphukan and freedom fighter martyr Kushal Konwar. In this, a proposal was also made to organize the concluding program of the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika in New Delhi.
These initiatives are part of the state government’s broader strategy to preserve Assam’s heritage as well as establish the state as a major hub for cultural and heritage tourism.
–IANS
ASH/MS