NEW DELHI: To connect people with Delhi’s historical legacy, architectural heritage and natural landscapes, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has decided to hold heritage walks in coming months. The authority has signed a six-month memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Delhi Chapter, to organise 12 guided heritage and nature walks across six locations in the capital, starting Oct 24.The initiative is taken on the directions of LG TS Sandhu, said officials. “The walks will be held twice a month at Sanjay Van, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Sultan Garhi, Tughlaqabad, Deer Park-Hauz Khas and the Northern Ridge,” stated the authority.The first walk will be held at Mehrauli Archaeological Park on Oct 24 at 4pm. Participants will be introduced to the area’s historic structures, architectural features and lesser-known stories associated with Delhi’s past, said officials.Each walk will accommodate up to 40 participants. The fee is Rs 500 plus GST per person per walk, with online registration available through the DDA portal at http://bit.ly/HeritageWalkMAP.“Under the MoU, INTACH will curate the routes, themes and interpretative content and arrange heritage experts and guides in coordination with DDA. And the authority will facilitate access, permissions and other administrative arrangements,” stated the official.Earlier this month, Sandhu led a heritage walk at Sanjay Van and launched the digital booklet Exploring the Delhi Ridge: Reviving the Heritage of the Lungs of Delhi. He also directed DDA to focus on ecological conservation and heritage protection and organise more walks to encourage public engagement with the city’s natural and historical assets.The initiative is in line with the Master Plan for Delhi 2047, which emphasises heritage conservation alongside planned and sustainable urban development, said officials. The plan encourages heritage trails and cultural circuits to promote tourism and connect people with the city’s history.DDA had also organised Heritage Week earlier this year to raise awareness of Delhi’s cultural and architectural heritage, particularly among students and young people.
