Amdavad to make official bid for World Heritage City tag on Apr 18

AHMEDABAD: It will be a tryst with destiny for Amdavadis on April 18. This will be the day when Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will stake claim for Unesco's World Heritage City status for this 600-year-old city, on the eve of World Heritage Day. 

The city will host a three-day international conference on Asian World Heritage City- Indian cities looking towards World Heritage' beginning on April 18 in association with Unesco, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Indian Heritage Cities Network and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). 

The initiative was pioneered by TOI in its Ahmedabad Towards World Heritage City' campaign, which was run during the World Heritage Week celebrations starting November 19, 2009. Under this campaign, TOI created awareness about the rich heritage of Ahmedabad, especially the walled city area, which captures the soul of the city. 
Municipal commissioner, IP Gautam, said, "The city has rich historical and architectural legacy and has the potential to achieve the status of a World Heritage City. During the international conference, AMC will present documentation on the city to the director general of ASI in this regard." 

"This will mark the official commencement for gaining the World Heritage City status during the international conference," added Gautam. The conference will have representatives from Asian heritage cities in Malayasia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam, and Thailand. Also Unesco-Paris, Unesco-Delhi and director general of ASI will be participating in the conference.