UNESCO Shows Interest In Muziris Heritage - The Hindu
November 21, 2009, 6:30:00 PM
"The idea put out by UNESCO to promote the preservation project as a ""Muziris Spice Route Project"" is discussed in an article in The Hindu. A fresh understanding of Kerala's history has been fostered via the Muziris Conservation Project. The Muziris authorities had been tasked by UNESCO to investigate the viability of establishing the historic project as a ""Spice Route"" along the lines of the well-known ""Silk Route"". The whole Kerala coastline line would be included in the Muziris project if the plan is approved by UNESCO and developed as a ""Spice Route."" In this manner, it would develop into one of the world's largest heritage-conservation/tourism projects.
The proposal would include the establishment of 22 museums. These historical museums would depict Muziris, an ancient port town said to have been situated close to Kodungallur, during its 2000-year history.Some of these museums will be housed at the homes of Kerala's contemporary figures, such as social reformer Sahodaran Ayyappan and independence fighter Mohammed Abdul Rahman Sahib.
In the state, the Muziris project has sparked a resurgence of interest in cultural preservation. The historical and cultural sites of Kerala are becoming more widely known. As the Muziris initiative expanded, other locations began to want inclusion,says the tourism minister, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan."