There is increasing concern across Asia—especially in India, China, Korea, and Japan—that, apart from iconic sites, more than 90% of Buddhist heritage remains unprotected. To address this situation, the International Academy for the Preservation and Management of Unprotected Buddhist Heritage and Sites in Rural Areas is being established by the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development. Professor Dr. Amareswar Galla, Pro-Chancellor, KISS Deemed to be University, and Distinguished Professor of Indigeneity and Inclusive Museum & Heritage Studies at KISS-DU and KIIT-DU, addressed a major international conference at the end of last year on the proposal for the establishment of the Academy.
As a follow-up, a core team of experts met in Delhi on 7 February 2026 to discuss the structure and development of the Academy. Prof. Galla focused on his work with UNESCO, INTERPOL, and the International Council of Museums in securing the return of several stolen treasures, such as the Chandavaram Buddhist sculpture, to India from the National Gallery of Australia. He is also working with the KIIT School of Law to develop a programme on UNESCO International Heritage Law, the first of its kind in South Asia. This also bodes well for Odisha given the recent inscription by UNESCO, the serial nomination of the Odisha State’s Golden Triangle – Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitgiri on India’s Tentative List for World Heritage status.