Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) will organise 12 guided heritage and nature walks across six locations in the capital over six months, beginning October 24.
The walks will be held twice a month at Sanjay Van, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Sultan Garhi, Tughlaqabad, Deer Park-Hauz Khas and the Northern Ridge, according to DDA officials. The programme is being conducted under a six-month memorandum of understanding signed between DDA and INTACH.
The first walk will take place at Mehrauli Archaeological Park on October 24 at 4pm. Participants will be introduced to historic structures, architectural features and lesser-known accounts connected with Delhi’s past, officials said.
Each walk will have a maximum capacity of 40 participants. The fee is Rs 500 plus GST per person per walk. Online registration is available through the DDA portal at http://bit.ly/Heritage WalkMAP.
Under the agreement, INTACH will curate the routes, themes and interpretative content for the walks. It will also arrange heritage experts and guides in coordination with DDA. The development authority will facilitate access to the sites, obtain permissions and manage other administrative arrangements, according to the authority’s statement.
The initiative has been taken on the directions of Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu, officials said. Earlier this month, Sandhu led a heritage walk at Sanjay Van and launched a digital booklet titled Exploring the Delhi Ridge: Reviving the Heritage of the Lungs of Delhi.
The booklet and the new walking programme place Delhi’s historical sites alongside its natural landscapes, including areas that form part of the Delhi Ridge. Sandhu had directed DDA to focus on ecological conservation and heritage protection while organising more public walks to encourage engagement with the city’s natural and historical assets.
DDA said the programme is aligned with the Master Plan for Delhi 2047, which emphasises heritage conservation alongside planned and sustainable urban development. The plan encourages heritage trails and cultural circuits intended to promote tourism and connect residents with the city’s history.
DDA had also organised Heritage Week earlier this year to raise awareness of Delhi’s cultural and architectural heritage, particularly among students and young people. The 12 scheduled walks will continue over the six-month period covered by the MoU, with routes and interpretative themes prepared by INTACH in coordination with the authority.
