Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 5 DEC: In a decisive push to safeguard the river-centred cultural memory of Bengal, heritage activists of Save Jalangi (West Bengal) on Friday met Aneesh Dasgupta, the District Magistrate of Nadia and formally urged the administration to pursue the declaration of Iswari–Patuni Ghat and Bargachi Biharikrishna Sripat as Intangible Cultural Heritage Sites under the West Bengal Heritage Commission. The move, backed by extensive historical and literary documentation, signals one of the strongest civic interventions yet to preserve Nadia’s fading riverine heritage.
The delegation submitted a meticulously prepared dossier containing historical references, architectural and technical descriptions, rare photographs, and crucial literary evidence drawn from the 18th-century Annadamangala Kabya. The documents highlight the intertwined legacy of Bengal’s devotional literature, Vaishnav traditions, and the centuries-old riverine livelihood systems that evolved along the Jalangi.
After the meeting, Save Jalangi secretary Shankha Shubha Chakraborty stressed the cultural weight of the two sites. He said, “Iswari–Patuni Ghat and Bargachi Sripat are not just locations—they are living cultural memory. These sites represent Bengal’s literary heritage, Vaishnav spiritual traditions, and centuries-old riverine livelihood patterns. We have earnestly requested the District Magistrate to pursue the state Heritage Commission to officially declare them as protected cultural sites.”
The delegation also appealed to the administration to recommend including both heritage locations in the official tourist map of West Bengal, noting that the state has recently emerged as the second most preferred destination for foreign tourists in India. According to Save Jalangi members, promoting these culturally rich sites through the Tourism Department would strengthen Nadia’s position on the heritage tourism circuit while supporting community livelihoods.
“A healthy Jalangi means a healthy riverine community,” the group reiterated, adding that restoration and conservation gain stronger community participation when cultural and economic benefits are visible. “Promoting heritage along the Jalangi inspires people to protect it,” a team member said.
The District Magistrate expressed keen interest in the proposal and appreciated the depth of the documentation presented. Officials said the administration will initiate all necessary steps to move the matter forward with the West Bengal Heritage Commission—including facilitating field inspections, verifying site data, and ensuring that the proposal is formally placed before the state-level authorities.
The DM also acknowledged the potential for integrating these sites into district and state tourism development plans, noting that heritage-based rural tourism offers a growing opportunity for Nadia. “We will examine the proposal in detail and coordinate with the appropriate state departments. Every possible administrative effort will be made,” the DM reportedly assured.
For Save Jalangi, active across the Jalangi river basin, today’s meeting marks a pivotal moment in its ongoing campaign to restore the river’s ecological health while protecting the cultural landscapes born along its banks. The organisation hopes the initiative will strengthen wider efforts to recognise and preserve Bengal’s riverine heritage.
