Bhubaneswar: KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU) will play a crucial role in safeguarding Asia’s unprotected Buddhist heritage.
With experts in India, China, Korea and Japan expressing concern that over 90 per cent of Buddhist heritage sites, particularly those in rural areas, remain unprotected, KIIT and KISS have stepped forward to address the issue.
The Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development is establishing an International Academy for the Preservation and Management of Unprotected Buddhist Heritage and Sites in Rural Areas, with KISS DU Pro-Chancellor Prof. Dr Amareswar Galla providing intellectual and strategic leadership to the initiative.
Galla, Professor of Indigeneity and Inclusive Museum & Heritage Studies at KIIT DU and KISS DU, is working closely with the KIIT School of Law to design a specialised programme on UNESCO International Heritage Law.
It will be the first such academic programme in South Asia, positioning KIIT as a leader in heritage governance studies.
After Prof. Galla presented the proposal for the Academy at an international conference late last year, a core team of global experts convened in New Delhi on February 7 to deliberate on the structure, curriculum, and long-term roadmap of the Academy.
Prof. Galla underscored the urgent need for integrated models that combine legal frameworks, community participation, and ethical stewardship to protect endangered Buddhist sites in rural landscapes.
UNESCO recently included Odisha’s renowned Buddhist Golden Triangle — Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri — on India’s Tentative List for World Heritage status through a serial nomination.
The proposed academic programme and the International Academy are expected to strengthen Odisha’s capacity to manage, conserve and legally safeguard these historic sites if granted full World Heritage recognition.
