The Hindu 29.08.2009
Focus on conserving urban heritage
Urvashi Sarkar
NEW DELHI: In a bid to provide a platform for Indian and international experts to share their experiences in urban planning, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) will hold a seminar on “Heritage and urban renewal” at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 2 to 5.
It will aim at continuing from where the Hyderabad conference on “Heritage conservation and urban development” organised by INTACH left off in 2005. That conference had recommended strategies for conservation of urban heritage at the national, State and local levels. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, INTACH Chairman S. K. Misra said: “While the Hyderabad conference was confined to interaction among Indian representatives, the upcoming meet will be attended by representatives from Spain, Turkey, Australia, other countries and also the World Bank. This is an opportunity to interact, build contacts and learn how people are going about urban renewal and heritage conservation in their countries. Also, it will create awareness with regard to heritage among local municipal corporations and development authorities.”
A monumental challenge
Mr. Misra said while the Archaeological Survey of India protects 5,000 monuments nation-wide, there are several other monuments that also need protection. Thus funds should also be granted to other agencies for the upkeep of heritage structures. “There is also a need for a heritage awareness programme involving the youth,” he added. INTACH member-secretary Yogendra Narain said case studies of different cities would be presented at the seminar. Various measures such as setting up of heritage committees in different cities, demolition laws and methods of heritage conservation will be discussed. “We expect to arrive at certain conclusions from the conference which will influence legislation with regard to urban planning. The last Finance Commission granted Rs.6.5 crore for protection of heritage sites. We are trying to persuade the current Finance Commission to expand the grant,” he said. INTACH (Delhi chapter) convenor Prof. A. G. K. Menon said: “The JNNURM has generated a great deal of money for development of infrastructure such as roads. While there is nothing wrong with spending on development, the money should be sensitively spent.”
