Excelsior Correspondent
AKHNOOR, Apr 18: To commemorate the World Heritage Day, the Archaeological Survey of India, J&K Circle, today organized an impressive Heritage Walk here. The walk started from ancient Buddhist site Ambaran and culminated at Akhnoor fort. The event was supported by the Akhnoor administration and Departments of Tourism and School Education.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma flagged off the walk.
The objective of the walk was to create awareness amongst the students and the common masses about the conservation of heritage and rich culture of Indian society. Hundreds of students drawn from different schools of Akhnoor and Jammu participated in the event. A large number of local people, historians, intellectuals, environmentalists, and teachers, officers of various departments and media persons also participated in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Akhnoor is a significant town on the point of view of world heritage and spiritual activities. He said several important religious places of ancient times still exist in and around the town and people from different parts of the country visit to these places throughout the year. He said with the earnest efforts of Government, the Akhnoor town has been brought on the national tourist map. He said efforts are afoot to include the newly discovered Buddhist ancient site on the world tourist map to attract tourists from different parts of the world to visit this historical place.
Superintendent ASI, Anil Tiwari said that the day is celebrated to promote the world heritage and to preserve the monuments. He threw light on the Buddhist site and maintained that it is believed that place is about 2000 years old and of Kushana period. It is also believed that the site was once centre of spiritual activities of Buddhists and has great religious significance.
Later, the students witnessed a photo exhibition arranged by the ASI at Akhnoor fort on the important heritage sites.
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