Necessary conditions for implementation work not in place

by Upali Rupasinghe in New Delhi

A UNESCO mission after extensive consultations from experts has sought suspension of ongoing work on the site management plan for Maha Bodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya on the findings that the necessary conditions for its implementation were not in place.

The two-member mission visited India recently as a follow-up action to recommendations of the World Heritage Committee in its 28th session held in Suzhou, China.

Information, Broadcasting and Culture Minister Jaipal Reddy, in a written reply before the Rajya Sabha, said the UNESCO mission sought suspension of work on the site management plan - prepared by Housing and Urban Development Corperation (HUDCO) on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism - till such time all necessary conditions for its implementation are in place. These conditions include the appropriate legal framework, control of buffer zone and management mechanism.

The UNESCO team that visited the Buddha Gaya Maha Bodhi temple comprised Herb Stowel, member of the World Heritage Council and Jinko Oakashashi, program specialist of World Heritage Centre.

They went on a comprehensive tour of the Maha Bodhi Temple and the Sri Maha Bodhi Complex. Besides, it also visited other prominent locations in the tiny city of Buddha Gaya to do a detailed study.

The team also held a joint meeting with high-level officials of the Tourism Department of the Bihar Government, senior officials of the Gaya District Administration, Director, General of the Archaeological Survey of India and members of the Buddha Gaya Maha Bodhi Temple Management Committee.

The Maha Bodhi Temple erected at the very spot where prince Siddhartha attained Buddhahood was declared a World Heritage site in 2002.

The UNESCO team also said that there is no move to de-list the Maha Bodhi Temple from the World Heritage list.