Defining Heritage
Broadly speaking, Heritage refers to cultural, natural and social legacy inherited from past generations, which shapes our identity, informs our present, and is passed on to future generations.

Former Secy. Tourism, GOI
There are four types of Heritage:
- Cultural, Natural, Social, Intangible
- Importance of Heritage is mainly for the following:
- Identity formation;
- Cultural Preservation;
- Tourism and economic growth;
- Education and awareness;
- Community cohesion
One of the main reasons for the phenomenal growth of tourism industry in last 6-7 decades is the “Rise of Cultural Tourism Globally” and that is where heritage and culture plays a major role and also a major challenge to preserve it.
Threats to Heritage: There are five main threats:
- Climate change
- Urbanization and Development
- Conflicts and War
- Neglect and abandonment
- Commercialization and Exploitation
Global Heritage Landscape:
Globally, it is estimated that approximately there are 1.5 million to 2.5 million heritage sites/ places etc. even if we take two major verticals, specifically related to Tourism cultural and National Heritage, then as per UNESCO, there are 1150 World Heritage sites, 897 (Cultural), 218 (Natural) 39 (Mixed). Italy with 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites leads the list followed by France (49), Spain (49), Germany (46) and India (43).
National Monuments and Historical Sites:
Generally Majority of cultural Tourists prefer to visit National Monument(s) of the country where they are travelling; India has an impressive 3600 national monuments followed by China (2000+), Japan (1000+), U.K. (500+) and the USA (117).
Problem of Plenty? Globally there is so many historical sites and cultural properties that most of the countries are not able to accord the kind of priority and preservation efforts which is required; classic case of “Problem of Plenty”.
National Register of Historical Sites of USA has over 100,000 sites listed, similarly Europe and Asia have tons of thousands of historical sites, a snapshot of historical sites etc.
- Ancient Ruins: 100000+
- Castles: 20,000+ (Europe, India, Japan)
- Tombs and Mausoleum: 5000+
- Statues and sculptures: 10,000+
- Memorials etc.: 50,000
When we have such a huge number of cultural properties/ historical sites etc. then it becomes a very daunting task to take care of these invaluable treasure in a holistic, scientific way.
Involving Youth for Saving/ Preserving Heritage:
To take care of our heritage in a holistic way, we have to involve every member of our society. Heritage management is too important to be left entirely to the governments’ efforts, the efforts of state have to be matched by all sections of society, especially the students and civil society.
Fortunately, and as an important tool of public policy, most of the governments in the world have launched initiatives to involve the cross section of society in preservation, promotion and holistic management of our heritage.
The Indian Cultural Ecosystem:
India has 3650 monuments / historical sites managed by ASI, in additional to ASI we have National Monument Authority (NMA), State Department of Archaeology and Monuments and the Ministry of culture, Govt. of India to manage our cultural Heritage.
In the private sector we have INTACH. Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), the CSR projects and the World Monuments Fund (1965) preserving 700+ sites in 112 Countries.
The Budget earmarked for Ministry of Culture, GOI, for the year 2023-24 is Rs. 3399.65 cr.
These Organisations Mainly Do:
- Restoration and Renovation of Monuments;
- Physical Protection;
- Digital and Physical documentation;
- Community Engagement;
- Sustainable Tourism with minimum wear and tear.
The main challenges being faced are:
- Adequate financial resources;
- Urbanization and encroachment;
- Climate change;
- Vandalism, theft etc.
- Lack of skilled labour
Main Indian Success Stories:
We have an impressive list of success stories in preserving and holistically managing monuments:
- Taj Mahal by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI);
- Hampi conservation by UNESCO with GOI;
- Red Fort Restoration by ASI;
- Amer Fort Restoration by Govt. of Rajasthan;
- Humanyun’s Tomb restoration by AKTC and
- Famous Historical sites of Lothal, Kali Banga etc.
Involving Students: Main global success stories have been initiated to involve students in:
- Raising awareness about the heritage;
- Encouraging them to take responsibility;
- Developing skills;
- Promoting holistic management of cultural heritage amongst students by:
- Launching Monuments Adoption Programme (MAP);
- Educational Trips;
- Workshops and Seminars;
- Essay, Photography, Painting Competitions;
- Heritage Clubs as co-curricular activity;
- Volunteer Programmes;
- Collaboration with N.G.O. engaged in the sector like INTACH, SPIC-MACAY and AKTC etc.
Government Initiatives: To involve students at school and college level for preservation and learning about our heritage, from time to time many innovative steps have been taken like:
- National Council of Education, Research and Training (NCERT) have integrated monuments preservation as part of school curriculum;
- ASI organizes heritage workshops for students;
- Adopt -A- Monument scheme of Ministry of Culture by inviting C.S.R. funds and leading personalities/ Brands/ Groups of corporate India;
- Students Heritage Club in Tamil Nadu;
- Maharashtra Heritage Clubs;
- Delhi and Rajasthan Government Monuments
- Adoption Programme;
- National Heritage Programmes for students (ASI);
- Young Heritage Clubs in A.P., M.P., U.P, Karnataka etc.
- Monuments Conservation Corps (Maharashtra);
- Heritage Education in school syllabus (Kerala);
- Students Heritage Ambassador (Gujarat);
- Making Neighbourhood Monument(s) adopted and holding 4 days camps at the site(s) for clearing, preserving monuments as part of socially useful and productive work (SUPW) in syllabus.
Global Success Stories of Youth for Heritages:
- Italy: 10000+ students enrolled in adopt a monument scheme for schools/colleges;
- Greece: 500+ monuments guardians;
- Egypt: over 200 students conservation crops;
- Australia: 1000+ Heritage heroes;
- China: Heritage Education in curriculum;
- UNESCO’s World Heritage Programme;
- ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments and Sites);
- International Association for Public History;
- World Monuments Fund and
- INTACH, SPIC-MACAY etc.
In Conclusion
Involving youth and students in preservation and management of heritage has been an unqualified success globally and also nationally; however, the ask is so Herculean that we have to keep the momentum and take advantage of the latest digital technologies like AI, Drones, 3D Mapping, Carbon Dating, Nono Technology etc. to preserve, protect, document, promote and ensure holistic management of our heritage.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of Govt. of India has categorically mentioned integration of heritage education in the school/ college curriculum.
‘Heritage Hotels’ of Rajasthan and other States are classic examples of making adoptive use of Historical Forts, Palaces, Havelis etc. a unique product of Indian Tourism.
The future of heritage and cultural Tourism is very bright in the world, provided we take care of our invaluable “Problem of Plenty” aspect of Human Heritage protection, preservation and scientific management.