How did the DHR achieve World Heritage Status?
Application for the World Heritage Status can be made only by the State Party under whose jurisdiction the site is located, and involves the preparation of a very detailed document to rigorous requirements laid down by UNESCO. Indian Railways on behalf of the Government of India, prepared an application for the DHR’s inclusion on the World Heritage List, and submitted it to UNESCO in mid 1998. Dr. Robert Lee, in his capacity as consultant to UNESCO’s International Council On Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), visited the reailway in February 1999. Dr. Lee’s report was considered by UNESCO and further information collected from the Government of India. The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and at the meetingheld in Morocco at the end of November 1999, the DHR was accorded World Heritage site status. What does World Heritage Status mean for the DHR? Now that the DHR has World Heritage status, the Government of India is obliged to care for the railway and to give a conservation repor
