The Assam government has announced plans to seek UNESCO recognition for several of the state’s cultural and historical treasures, building on the successful inscription of the Charaideo Moidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Presenting the 2026–27 State Budget in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the government will pursue UNESCO recognition for Assam’s heritage under the cultural, natural and intangible heritage categories.
The proposed nominations, to be taken up in phases, include the Vaishnavite Culture of Majuli, Bihu and the Ahom capital of Rangpur in Sivasagar.
“The efforts aim to secure international recognition for Assam’s rich cultural heritage, strengthen its preservation and promote cultural tourism,” the minister said.
The announcement follows the inclusion of the Charaideo Moidams in the UNESCO World Heritage List, a milestone that has enhanced Assam’s global cultural profile.
The Budget also outlined a series of heritage conservation initiatives. The government will expedite the Rang Ghar Conservation Project and undertake restoration, conservation and visitor infrastructure development at Kareng Ghar, two prominent monuments of the Ahom era.
Acknowledging the historical and religious significance of Madhupur Satra, where Srimanta Sankardeva spent the final years of his life, the government announced adequate funding for its comprehensive development, including heritage conservation, pilgrim amenities and cultural infrastructure.
To strengthen institutional support for Assam’s Vaishnavite tradition, the government will constitute and empower the Assam Satra Commission.
The Budget further proposed organising a grand Bihu celebration in New Delhi to showcase Assam’s cultural heritage at the national level.
Financial assistance will also be provided for the production of commercial feature films on legendary Ahom general Lachit Barphukan and freedom fighter Swahid Kushal Konwar to bring their stories to wider national and international audiences.
In addition, the state will organise the concluding ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika in New Delhi, commemorating the cultural icon’s legacy of music, humanity and national integration.
The government said these initiatives form part of its broader strategy to preserve Assam’s cultural identity while promoting the state as a leading destination for heritage and cultural tourism.
