Chamling requests World Heritage status for two sites

Gangtok, Apr 10 (UNI) Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has requested the World Heritage Centre for inclusion of two heritage sites in Sikkim in the world heritage list.

Mr Chamling, who has just returned from the six nations tour of the European Countries, told newspersons here last night that he along with state Agriculture Minister and a number of officials called on World Heritage Centre Director Francesco Bandarin at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on March 21 and requested for inclusion of Dubdi Monastery, built in 1643, and the Kechopaldri lake, considered sacred by both Hindus and the Buddhists, in the World Heritage list.

The Chief Minister said he had requested for technical support for the revival and preservation of three other institutions -Nathula Trade Museum, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and the Namchi Senior School.

The Nathula museum assumed importance with the old route to be reopened soon and old documents, artefacts needed to be researched, collected and conserved, he said.

Similarly, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which has very old documents and artefacts on Tibetology, and the Namchi School, one of the oldest schools, needed to be preserved on a scientific line.

Mr Bandarin, the Chief Minister said, assured of all help and advised to get in touch with UNESCO representative in India for further action.

UNI BD TJP TM DS1242