YANGON, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has been striving to put the well-known ancient city of Bagan into the World Heritage list by launching some public awareness forums in the region since Wednesday, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Friday.

Conducted by the Department of Archaeology and National Museum and some charity organizations, the awareness forums aim to broaden local people's understanding and knowledge of the area for preserving the heritage of Bagan, which lies in the central part of the country with thousands of religious edifices and pagodas.

The forums conducting in 43 villages in Bagan region will last until the end of August.

Geographically comprising two areas, the Upper Bagan and Lower Bagan, it is well-known with historic and cultural wealth with Buddhist temples, monasteries, stupas and monuments compacted into one area.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Bagan Archaeological site has been extended from 42 square miles to 62 square miles.