Delhi Circle of Archaeological Survey launched Exhibition on Baolis on World Heritage Day

18 April: World Heritage Day

World Heritage Day is observed every year on 18 April. On the occasion, Delhi Circle of Archaeological Survey of India launched an exhibition at Naubat Khana in Red Fort premises. The exhibition inaugurated by ASI director general Gautam Sengupta focussed on ASI-protected baolis.

The theme of World Heritage Day 2011 was Cultural heritage of water. The theme cultural heritage of water relates not only to the technology and architecture that humankind has developed to manage, utilise and celebrate water's life giving properties but also to those intangible values that have shaped the beliefs and practices. The theme for 2010 World Heritage Day was Agricultural Heritage whereas for 2009 the theme was Heritage and Science.

World Heritage Day offers an opportunity to raise the public's awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve it, as well as draw attention to its vulnerability. Heritage conservation is aimed at achieving sustainability.

On the occasion of observance of World Heritage Day the efforts required to protect and conserve heritage and to underscore its vulnerability is highlighted.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) organised a symposium in Tunisia on 18 April 1982 and it was suggested that a special day is to be celebrated all through the world in the name of International Day for Monuments and Sites on the same day every year. It was adopted by UNESCO in 1983 and ever since, 18 April has been observed as World Heritage Day the world over. International Monuments and Sites Day which has been traditionally called the World Heritage Day celebrates the diversity of heritage throughout the world.

The day provides an opportunity to hoist awareness about the assortment of cultural legacy and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve them and also to think about its susceptibility.