An ambitious initiative was set in motion on Friday during the International Conference on the Preservation of Rural Buddhist Heritage, aimed at establishing an academy focused on conserving India's unprotected rural Buddhist sites.
The India Trust for Rural Heritage and Development convened the event, gathering renowned scholars, policymakers, and conservation experts at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre. Highlighting the broad-ranging goals, former MP Karan Singh, ITRHD chairman S K Misra, and Buddhist scholar Shantum Seth emphasized the need for knowledge sharing and community involvement in preservation efforts.
Key announcements included the allocation of five acres in Andhra Pradesh's Nagarjunakonda for the new academy, which will train administrators and local communities by integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary conservation practices. The conference will host various sessions exploring the integration of Buddhist heritage with community development, concluding discussions on November 30.
