Shimla MC to seek UNESCO grant for maintenance of heritage sites

The Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) will be seeking a special grant from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the development and maintenance of various heritage sites. Shimla Mayor Surinder Chauhan will write a letter to Unesco and the United Kingdom Government to seek financial assistance for the conservation and protection of the century-old heritage structures, including churches and cemeteries of the British era.

The Mayor said, “UNESCO provides grants and funds to support heritage sites and Shimla itself is a historical city, which had remained the summer capital of the British. Many British citizens visit the Shimla Municipal Corporation to get the birth and death certificates of their forefathers, who had worked and lived here.”

He added, “We have restored many drains, nullahs, pipelines as well as water tanks that laid during the British era. The recent example of this is the revival of a 143-year old tank at Seog from where water was supplied to Shimla city during the British era.”

The capital city was developed during the British rule and it still houses various heritage buildings that were constructed during the pre-Independence era such as The Ridge and The Mall, which are two of the most popular tourist attractions. Besides, the city has the Gaiety Theater and the Town Hall building that houses the Mayor’s office, the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies that once served as the residence of the Viceroy of India and many other buildings having historical importance.

Historical city

UNESCO provides grants and funds to support heritage sites and Shimla is a historical city that remained the summer capital of the British. Many British citizens still visit the Shimla Municipal Corporation to get the birth and death certificates of their forefathers, who had worked and lived here. — Surinder Chauhan, Mayor of Shimla