Heritage Conservation Plan

The Telangana government’s Heritage Conservation Plan: efforts in protecting its heritage sites have created a buzz about heritage and culture.

Five years after the Telangana government brought in a new Heritage Act and scrapped protection for dozens of heritage sites, it appears to have changed tack.
The Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development is not just inaugurating flyovers and other civic projects but is talking about the conservation and preservation of heritage sites.
The government’s demonstration of interest goes beyond rhetoric; significant sums of money are being spent on heritage site restoration.
In addition, restoration work on the Bansilalpet stepwell and the Moazzam Jahi Market from 1935 reportedly cost 16 crores and 2.6 crores, respectively.
The Municipal Administration and Urban Development department is announcing and managing these projects.
Ramappa temple (13th-century temple) near Warangal was given a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Furthermore, the Golconda stepwells and Domakonda Fort were winners of UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific cultural heritage conservation awards in 2022.

About
- Firstly, the physical or tangible cultural legacy includes artworks.
- These are often divided into moveable and immovable heritage groups:
  - Objects such as structures, landmarks, and monuments are considered immovable heritage.
  - Furthermore, books, documents, transportable artworks, music, and other artefacts are examples of moveable heritage.
Significance of Preserving Cultural Heritage
- Economic significance
  - Firstly, modern economies need solid cultural industries.
  - Cultural landmarks, amenities, and artistic expressions increase tourism, support livelihoods, and draw capital.
Historical-Social significance
- The preservation of history, knowledge creation and creativity promotion are some of the culture’s non-economic benefits.

Outdated Mechanism of Excavation and Exploration
- Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing are infrequently used in exploration because of the prevalence of old-fashioned methods.
Lack of Centralised Database for Heritage Sites
- Firstly, India does not have a comprehensive national-level database that breaks down the distribution of cultural structures by state.
- Although there are reportedly more than 4000 heritage towns and cities in the nation, the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has only inventoried roughly 60,000 buildings in about 150 localities.
Lack of Centre-State Coordination
- Even though India has some of the top institutions for heritage management and protection, such as the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
- Additionally, a multidisciplinary approach to heritage conservation is inadequate due to a lack of cooperation between the centre and the state.
Developmental Activities Prevail Over Heritage Conservation
- Construction projects have destroyed several archaeologically significant sites in India.

The utilisation of New Technologies
- Firstly, in 2015, ASI adopted an excavation policy.
- This policy has to be updated to reflect the evolving circumstances brought on by technological innovation.
- Furthermore, new technology like Photogrammetry & 3D Laser Scanning, LiDAR and Satellite Remote Sensing Surveys should be used for documentation, surveys, excavation, and conservation works.
Integrating heritage-city planning
- All significant infrastructure projects should consider the results of the Heritage Impact Assessment.
Heritage Tourism and Education
- Firstly, India can successfully protect its cultural and historic riches while fostering local economies by creating jobs, new enterprises, and tax money for the government.
- This is done by promoting heritage tourism.
Innovative Ways to Increase Engagement
- Cultural programmes should be held at monuments that don’t receive a lot of visitors and have no obvious cultural or religious connotations to achieve the following two goals:
  - Raising awareness of the related intangible heritage
  - Finally, increasing the number of visitors to such sites

Pic Courtesy: India Today

Content Source: The Hindu