Alappuzha: The Central Government will recommend the inclusion of Kuttanad’s agricultural and cultural heritage in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision follows consideration of an expert study report prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India, a premier research institution in the country.

The Centre is expected to propose Kuttanad under UNESCO’s Cultural Landscape category. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed that the Union Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India conducted a detailed assessment before proceeding with the recommendation, according to Kodikunnil Suresh MP.

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Kuttanad is recognised for its unique below-sea-level farming system, indigenous water resource management practices, rich biodiversity, and traditional agricultural knowledge. These features are considered key elements of its distinctive agricultural heritage.

Inclusion in India’s Tentative List will mark the first step towards securing UNESCO World Heritage status. In this regard, the MP has submitted recommendations in line with the Central Government’s instructions.

Kuttanad was earlier recognised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Following this recognition, the MP submitted a petition to the Union Minister requesting that Kuttanad be considered under the Cultural Landscape category. In response, the Centre commissioned a study by the Wildlife Institute of India.