Stakeholder Workshop on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) for Community & Environment through a Stakeholders Workshop with UNESCO in Jan 2002 for Capacity building of Heritage & Tourism for Sustainable Development & Management.

Objectives of a Stakeholders Workshop

1. Preparing a model for appropriate training: Relevant studies, reports and recommendations such as the workshop on Darjeeling held in December 1997, report of the All-India Institute of Transport & Development in 1999 and operating reports of the Northeast Frontier Railway would be placed together. Recommendations of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Societies in their annual conferences, publications and communications during the last 5 years could also be taken together. Methods and practices in preserved heritage Railway operation from the   Festiniog Railway in Wales, UK, Puffing Billy in Victoria, Australia and Semmering Railway in Austria would be collected and made available. This could not only help in training to the employees of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and those concerned during a special workshop but also serve as useful training material for the future.

2. Benefit from an association: The workshop for training will bring together the employees, stakeholder communities, professionals, institutions, agencies, industry, government bodies and politicians in order to learn and understand the role of this heritage in the contemporary society and its future. Involvement of the participating agencies in this exercise will lead to a long term association for the benefit of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Heritage Rail bodies worldwide will also get associated as above. Mechanism such as twinning of the Semmering Railway or another heritage Railway with Darjeeling Himalayan Railway could also emerge in the short and long term.

3. Identification and Interpretation: The training workshop would examine the history of the DHR, assess and evaluate the heritage, its conserved artifacts, remembered personalities, symbols and associations and how as a heritage commodity it can serve modern demands for the economic, social, cultural and Railway requirements. The inscription of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway as a world heritage site could create opportunities for economic revival of the railway, the local community, economic development and heightened cultural awareness. For conservation and continued operation in its pristine form, it is necessary to understand, mobilize resources, provide necessary inputs, preserve and economically promote the cultural heritage of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways in its historical, cultural and environmental context.

4. Training to create awareness, explain the perspectives and discuss issues: To raise awareness and lay the foundation for a full-scale capacity building and community cultural development programme. The following needs to be explained to the employees of the Darjeeling Himalayan railways and those concerned:
   1. An appreciation of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways as World Heritage Area.
   2. How the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is an outstanding example of a hill passenger railway and the bold and ingenious engineering solutions that have been applied in overcoming the problem of establishing an effective and pioneering rail link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty.
   3. Influence of an innovative transportation system on the social and economic development of a multicultural region and how this is illustrated in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
   4. Present state of Conservation, difficulties, steps being taken and proposed solutions.
   5. Stakeholder community participation in conservation and responsible economic development.
   6. Heritage, Tourism, Technological, Cultural, Social and Environmental considerations – Past, Present & Future.  
5. Sensitisation: Sensitise all concerned at all levels to the current and potential threats and to the possible opportunities to be gained from world heritage status, towards a better world heritage site, the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage, sustainable and responsible tourism and tourism products, interpretation and guide training, appropriate planning models, identifying and developing cultural resources and community involvement. Also, to raise the consciousness of those responsible for managing the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway regarding the complex issues surrounding heritage management;
6. Development of an interpretative adapted management strategy: A preliminary foundation for the development of an Interpretive Management Plan will be made. A coordinated strategy is needed for the Railways and others to guarantee that the site is not damaged beyond repair and to ensure that it survives for thousands of years. A framework will be prepared for an interpretive strategy for the future. This will build an understanding of the basic concepts and principles underlying the development of a plan for future management including stakeholder analysis, community resource mapping and potential development strategies. This will also facilitate the establishment of an appropriate management structure and mechanism for funding conservation and development activities at a site level. This is expected to include the following:
   1. Heritage Plan: -  
   2. (Mapping of resources, appropriate Museums and development of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway as an example of a living Museum);
   3. Management Plan: -
   4. (Conservation, Operation, Viability, Urban development, Volunteers, Sponsors and Environmental);
   5. Tourism Plan: -
   6. (Suitable circuit, linkages development along the route, catering, advertising and  souvenirs);
   7. Community programmes: -
   8. (Sensitisation, education, involvement, and support);
   9. Case Studies: -
   10. For Industrial Heritage, Heritage Railways, Community Involvement and economic prosperity through heritage);

   A report containing recommendations and an outline development plan to be used for advocacy purposes.

7. Further development: A final report to UNESCO and all interested parties will also be available to seek support for further capacity building activities as a matter of urgency.

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