Madhya Pradesh Receives Golden Banyan Award for Heritage Tourism Leadership

IN NEWS: Madhya Pradesh Receives Golden Banyan Award for Heritage Tourism Leadership

Introduction

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) has been conferred the Golden Banyan Award in the Best State – Heritage Tourism category at the Heritage Week Awards 2025 held in New Delhi. The award recognises the state’s efforts in preserving, promoting, and integrating heritage with tourism-led development.

ANALYSIS

Recognition of Heritage-Led Development Model

The award highlights Madhya Pradesh’s emergence as a national leader in heritage tourism, reflecting:

• Strong focus on cultural and architectural preservation
• Alignment with the vision of “From Heritage to Development”
• Integration of heritage conservation with economic growth

👉 Demonstrates a shift from passive preservation to active utilisation of heritage for development.

Key Features of MP’s Heritage Strategy

Madhya Pradesh has adopted a holistic and inclusive approach:

• Adaptive reuse of heritage structures
• Promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism
• Emphasis on community participation and local benefit-sharing
• Investment in:
  • Structural restoration
  • Modern tourist amenities
  • Digital outreach

👉 Ensures that heritage conservation becomes economically viable and socially inclusive.

Cultural Capital and Global Recognition

The state’s heritage strength is reflected in:

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
  • Khajuraho Group of Temples
  • Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
  • Sanchi Stupa
• Additional globally recognised heritage locations
• Cultural cities:
  • Orchha, Mandu, Chanderi, Khajuraho
• UNESCO recognition:
  • Gwalior as “Music City”

👉 Positions Madhya Pradesh as a global cultural tourism hub.

Economic and Social Implications

Heritage tourism contributes to:

• Employment generation at local level
• Promotion of:
  • Handicrafts
  • Folk traditions
  • Cultural industries
• Strengthening of the cultural economy

👉 Supports inclusive growth and rural development.

Governance and Policy Linkages

• Leadership support from:
  • Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
  • Tourism Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi
• Administrative push by:
  • MPTB and state tourism authorities

👉 Reflects a policy-driven tourism ecosystem integrating:

• Conservation
• Infrastructure
• Economic development

Strategic Significance

• Enhances India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy
• Strengthens tourism competitiveness of Madhya Pradesh
• Encourages:
  • Private investment
  • Global tourist inflow

👉 Establishes MP as a model for heritage-driven sustainable tourism.

Static Part (As per Input)

• Institution: Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB)
• Award: Golden Banyan Award (Best State – Heritage Tourism)
• Event: Heritage Week Awards 2025
• Presented By: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
• Key Focus Areas of MPTB:
  • Heritage conservation
  • Tourism promotion
  • Community participation
  • Sustainable tourism
• Important Heritage Assets Mentioned:
  • Khajuraho Group of Temples
  • Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
  • Sanchi Stupa
  • Cities: Orchha, Mandu, Chanderi, Khajuraho
• Administrative Leadership:
  • Additional Chief Secretary & MD MPTB: Shekhar Shukla

Updated – 14 September 2025 ; 08:30 PM | News Source –The Rahnuma Daily