Kochi, Kerala:
Kerala Tourism has signed an agreement with UNESCO to begin a historic cooperation between the state and the world's foremost cultural organisation in promoting and protecting the ancient Spice Route heritage.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kerala Tourism Secretary, Suman Billa, and UNESCO Director and Representative to India, Shigeru Aoyagi, in the presence of State Tourism Minister AP Anil Kumar and KM Chandrasekhar, Vice Chairman, Kerala State Planning Board.
The MoU signed on Friday seeks to formalise a framework of cooperation in the areas of cultural heritage protection and promotion in the state.
"The Spice Route project is a new milestone in the growth of tourism in Kerala. It is a revival of the ancient spice route that connected 31 countries," Anil Kumar said.
"For the project to be successful, it needs the support from all the 31 countries. That is why we have sought the cooperation of UNESCO," he said.
Under the agreement, the Spice Route Initiative of the state government will form the bedrock of the cooperation and partnership between the two sides along with protection of promotion of historical areas of Kerala.
Several historical areas of Kerala linked with the ancient Spice Route, including urban areas, will be developed under the agreement to promote the aim of heritage building.