Preserving India’s Underwater Cultural Heritage: Navigating the Need, Challenges, and Strategies in Dwarka, Gujarat

This article analyses the lost city of Dwarka, which is believed to be the ancient city of Dwarka, mentioned in ancient Indian texts such as the Mahabharata, Harivansh Purana and the Vishnu Purana. The underwater remains at Dwarka are considered an important source of information about the history and culture of ancient India. This article focuses on preserving India’s underwater cultural heritage (UCH) in Dwarka, Gujarat. The scope of UCH management at Dwarka, the challenges that arise, and strategies to overcome them are discussed. Alternative approaches for UCH protection, including the UNESCO 2001 Convention, are also considered. The article concludes by proposing a comprehensive management plan to protect the UCH site at Dwarka. This article aims to provide a thorough understanding of the need and importance of preserving UCH and suggest practical steps towards its protection and preservation.