Ban on private construction in Sirpur

This seems to be a great news! The government of Chhattisgarh state of India has put a ban on private construction at the famous Buddhist site of Sirpur. Not only this, the ASI is currently carrying out an extensive excavation work at the place to unearth the cultural treasures from the past and the state government is trying hard to get a world heritage site status for Sirpur.

In my opinion, this is a good step from the side of the government to protect a site which was once a famed Buddhist centre for learning. If efforts are not made today to preserve the cultural heritage of the past, nothing will remain for the future generation. If the state government succeeds in its effort to get a world heritage status for the site, the Buddhist heritage property will get more exposure and tourists than it is getting now. This will further help the development process of the site.

Even if the world heritage site status eludes Sirpur, the government should try to create awareness about the site so that people understand the significance and need to protect this site. Also, the local people themselves need to understand the significance of heritage property they are trying to destroy by indulging in construction work for their personal benefit. What say?

If you wish to know more about Sirpur, just visit
http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/temples-monuments/sirpur-chattisgarh.html

I found this out while trying to get more information on Sirpur.

By the way, do you know which are the Buddhist world Heritage sites in India? The Mahabodhi Temple complex of Bodhgaya, The Caves of Ajanta and Ellora, the Buddhist Monuments of Sanchi............., please let me know if I missed out any name here. On the tentative list are Buddhist Monastery complex of Alchi, Buddhist site at Sarnath and Hemis Gompa in Ladakh.