Led by Minister Sudivya Kumar, Holds High-Level Meetings in the United Kingdom on the conservation of Megalithic Heritage

During the official visit to the United Kingdom, a delegation of the Government of Jharkhand, led by Shri Sudivya Kumar, Minister, held extensive interactions with leading international institutions and expert groups in London.

The central focus of these meetings was the conservation, restoration, scientific management, and global recognition of Jharkhand’s ancient megalithic/monolithic heritage.

The discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including scientific documentation of megalithic sites, structural conservation, landscape management, community participation, and the formulation of long-term conservation strategies aligned with international best practices. 

Special emphasis was placed on developing a robust and credible framework for preparing Jharkhand’s megalithic heritage for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List, while ensuring that these culturally significant structures—deeply connected to indigenous communities—are preserved in a sensitive and inclusive manner.

Through these engagements, potential areas of collaboration were identified to leverage international expertise in archaeology, heritage conservation, engineering, and advisory services, as well as to strengthen institutional capacity within the state. 

Based on the insights and recommendations received, the Government of Jharkhand will develop a clear, practical, and phased roadmap to reinforce the conservation of its megalithic heritage at structural, cultural, and educational levels.

Key Meetings Held Today( January 21,2026)

(Theme: Conservation and Restoration)

Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA)
Andrew Henderson-Schwartz; Dr. Sarah Perry (University College London)

Wardell Armstrong / SLR Consulting
Dr. Rodri Gardner; Dr. Lindsay Lloyd-Smith; John Treherne

Simpson & Brown
Sue Whittle; John Sanders; Tom Adman

AECOM
Neil McNab

Wessex Archaeology
Dr. Stu Eve; Matt Leivers

Arup
Ottilie Thornhill, Senior Consultant

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Shri Sudivya Kumar stated that these international dialogues represent a decisive step towards scientifically safeguarding Jharkhand’s rich megalithic heritage and positioning it on the global stage, ensuring that this invaluable legacy is preserved for future generations.

Minister Shri Sudivya Kumar further stated that under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren, the Government of Jharkhand is fully committed to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of the state’s invaluable megalithic heritage. 

He emphasised that the state government views this heritage not only as an archaeological asset, but also as a living cultural legacy deeply rooted in indigenous traditions, and is determined to protect it through scientific methods, community participation, and international collaboration.