Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that UNESCO’s ‘Historic Urban Landscape Project’, which was started in the year 2011, for the inclusive and well-planned development of fast-growing historical cities while preserving the culture and heritage is very crucial. He said that Gwalior and Orchha cities have been selected by UNESCO in this project and they will be jointly developed by UNESCO, Government of India and Madhya Pradesh by focusing on their historical and cultural improvement. He was virtually launching UNESCO’s ‘Historic Urban Landscape’ project for Gwalior and Orchha cities of State through video conferencing at Mantralaya.

 

Tourism and Culture Minister Usha Thakur, Principal Secretary. Tourism and Culture, Shiv Shekhar Shukla etc. were present. Eric Falt Delhi, Sushri Junhi Han, Neha Dewan, Nishant Upadhyay from UNESCO, New Delhi, and Rand Eppich from US joined through VC. Now 4 cities of India included in the project: Chief Minister said that six cities of South Asia, including Ajmer and Varanasi in India, are already involved in this project. Orchha and Gwalior have been included as the 7th and 8th cities.

 

The development and management plan of these cities will be prepared by UNESCO. All aspects including history, culture, food, lifestyle, economic development, community development will be included in it. He said that this project of UNESCO will help MP tourism get a new dimension. Development projects of other cities will also be made according to the development project of Orchha and Gwalior to be made by UNESCO. Additional employment opportunities will also be created along with the development of tourism. He said that many schemes are being operated for the development of tourism in Madhya Pradesh, like ‘Responsible Tourism’, ‘Rural Tourism’, ‘Safe Tourism for Women’, Buffer mein Safar, Night Safari, ‘Wellness and Mindful Tourism’, ‘Youth Adventure Tourism’ etc.