The addition of Pakistan’s falconry cultural heritage to the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) would further boost the efforts to safeguard the living heritage of falconry.
The other countries which are on this list included Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Belgium, Czech, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Syria.
Falconry, as a traditional art and practice of keeping, training and flying a bird of prey to take quarry in its natural state, practiced by people of all ages, genders and statuses, is recognised by its community members as part of their cultural heritage. It is a social tradition promoting respect for nature and the environment, transmitted from generation to generation through formal and informal means, providing its communities with a sense of belonging, pride, continuity and identity.
National History and Literary Heritage (NHLH) Division Joint Secretary Mashhood Mirza said that inclusion of Pakistan in the list of the intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO’s committee was indeed a matter of pride for the whole country. He said that UNESCO has recognised Pakistan’s contribution in falconry as well as of the communities and families who were involved in this practice and its promotion.
Last year, Pakistan received the certificate from UNESCO regarding its inclusion in the list of intangible cultural heritage after a thorough representation by the experts of NHLH Division. The team of experts looked into the presentation of Pakistan about Falconry and recognized its contribution in preserving and promoting this living heritage, he said.
The inscription of the element on an extended basis on the representative list could further contribute to fostering cultural diversity, mutual understanding and inter-cultural dialogue worldwide, thus enhancing visibility and awareness of intangible cultural heritage and its importance in connection with its natural environment.
Efforts are underway in many countries with full involvement of communities to safeguard falconry and ensure its transmission, focusing especially on apprenticeship, handicrafts, research and conservation of falcon species, supplemented by planned measures to strengthen its viability and raise awareness, both at national and international levels.
The communities, associations and individuals concerned have participated in the elaboration of this nomination at all stages and have provided plentiful evidence of their free, prior and informed consent. The falconry is included in inventories of intangible cultural heritage in each of the submitting states, which are maintained and updated on a regular basis by the relevant authorities.
