Hyderabad: Of the 137 monuments of national importance and the 500 protected monuments as published by the Archeological Survey of India across Telangana and AP, not one has found place in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Only the 400-year-old Qutb Shahi Heritage, including the Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs and Charminar, and from Warangal, under the banner of “The glorious Kakatiya Temples and Gateways”, three sites including the Swayambhu temple and its keerthi thoranas (Warangal fort), Rudreswara Temple (thousand-pillar temple) and the Ramappa Temple at Palampet have made it to the tentative list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
Every year, about 15 to 16 monuments are identified by the state government and sent to HMDA to be added to the list of protected monuments. The monuments of national importance are recognised by the Centre
Of the 137 monuments of national importance, only seven are from Telangana and the rest are from AP.
In October 2012, the International Council of Monuments and Sites from UNESCO had inspected the Golconda Fort and the Charminar to see if they fulfilled all the criteria to enter the list of the World Heritage Monuments. “Owing to the establishments and constructions around the sites, improper management etc., they could not make it to the list. Especially in Charminar, the pedestrian project is still pending and the traffic-free-zone that was supposed to have started has still not been completed. Vehicular pollution is resulting in the monument losing its sheen,” said a researcher from the culture department.
According to law, no establishments must be present from the boundary of the monument up to 100 metres. Safiullah, founder of the Deccan Heritage Trust said, “The government needs to be serious about protecting the Charminar and the government should start privatising at least the external facilities like rest rooms, restaurants, parking, and help desks.” And this is also why Western tourists avoid it.”
