New Set of Tourist Literature for Delhi Heritage Route
Over the last two years, as part of the process of nominating the city of Delhi to the UNESCO World Heritage list, various activities have been initiated to generate awareness among the citizens of Delhi and the public at large. Publishing a set of tourist literature consisting of 20 booklets and 18 walking maps that cover the entire gamut of heritage sites in Delhi is one such initiative. The tourist literature is part of World Monuments Fund’s Delhi Heritage Route Sustainable Tourism Initiative sponsored by American Express.
Amita Baig, WMF’s India representative, formally handed over the publications to the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, on February 13 at the Delhi Secretariat. The Chief Minister released the same in the presence of Shri Manish Chatrath, Chairman, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation; Maj. Gen. (Retd.) L. K. Gupta (AVSM), Chairman, INTACH; and Prof AGK Menon, Convenor, INTACH, Delhi Chapter. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation will distribute the literature from information counters located at strategic points in the city.
INTACH’s Delhi Chapter had developed a network of seven “heritage routes” linking monuments all over the city of Delhi, and each of the booklets covers a cluster of monuments along these seven routes. The publications were edited by Annabel Lopez and Swapna Liddle and designed by Alpana Khare. Eminent historians have provided the text, which is accompanied by a sketch of each monument specially commissioned for the publication. Heritage site maps that use icons (plans and elevations of the historic structures) will help visitors identify each monument.
In order to provide a visitor with a holistic experience, the publications also cover contemporary places of interest, museums, and popular eating spots that fall within the heritage precinct. The literature, which also has information about tourist amenities like the hop-on hop-off bus service and metro stations, will enable visitors to explore the city on their own and at their own pace.