ITRHD Announces Global Conference on Rural Buddhist Heritage Preservation
INDIA
Experts present a comprehensive roadmap for establishing the world’s first Academy dedicated to conserving India’s vulnerable rural Buddhist sites and integrating heritage protection with sustainable community development.
New Delhi, 21 November 2025:
The Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD), established in 2010, organized a pre-event media briefing at WWF-India, New Delhi, on Friday to introduce the upcoming International Conference on Preservation of Rural Buddhist Heritage (PRBH). Scheduled for 28–30 November 2025 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, the conference aims to initiate a global dialogue on safeguarding India’s lesser-known and unprotected rural Buddhist heritage while aligning conservation with sustainable rural progress.
During the briefing, ITRHD highlighted the core objectives of PRBH, unveiled the distinguished panel of international speakers, and shared detailed insights into the proposed Academy for Rural Heritage Conservation and Development Training at Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh. This pioneering academy is set to become the world’s first dedicated institution for the protection, restoration, and community-led development of rural Buddhist heritage sites, linking conservation efforts directly with local livelihood enhancement.
ITRHD Chairman and initiative visionary, Shri S.K. Misra, stated:
“Our mission extends beyond preserving the material remains of India’s Buddhist civilisation. We seek to uplift the rural communities that have long been the custodians of this heritage. The Academy will become an international centre for research, education, and hands-on training, ensuring that conservation supports progress rather than hinders it.”
In a video message, His Eminence Kyabje Tsenshab Serkong Rinpoche II—Spiritual Throne Holder of Tabo Monastery and a key speaker at PRBH—expressed appreciation for the initiative. He noted that ITRHD’s commitment to creating an academy that brings together global experts, scholars, and practitioners is a significant step toward preserving Buddhist cultural landscapes and heritage sites.
Senior representatives from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the School of Planning and Architecture, and Gautam Buddha University joined ITRHD leaders in addressing the press. They stressed the pressing need to safeguard India’s widespread but often overlooked rural Buddhist heritage and highlighted how integrating heritage conservation with inclusive rural development can create long-term, community-driven impact.