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the-south-asian.com April 2004 |
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April 2004 Wildlife
Paragpur
- India's 1st
Corporate Talk
Books Lehngas - a limited collection Books Between
Heaven and Hell
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PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF THE PAST by Avinash Kalla Even as the World Heritage Day draws near, UNESCO is sparing neither money nor effort to draw people’s attention to the well being of world heritage sites.
What makes a country beautiful? Is it big buildings, broad highways and modern infrastructure? Yes to an extent it is. But what makes it really picturesque are ancient monuments, sculptures and paintings, inscriptions and cave dwellings--- great architectural works that have outstanding value from the point of view of history, art, culture and science. These can be collectively placed under one name –heritage. But in modern times there is little to cheer about heritage, which is facing a serious threat and at places is struggling to survive. And that, despite the fact, the General Conference of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has set up a special fund for the upkeep of some of the most important sites of the world. Which is why, on the World Heritage Day which falls on April 18 every year, UNESCO spares neither money nor effort to draw people’s attention towards the well being of world heritage sites. In India some of the monuments earmarked as world heritage sites include the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Khajuraho, Konark temple, Ajanta-Ellora and Elephanta Caves and Bodhgaya. But ironically, as world sites go, the condition of none of these is up to the mark. Many are virtually falling apart due to appalling neglect. Others have suffered at the hands of vandals while a few are victims of rampant pollution. The Archaeological Survey of India [ASI] that has over 2,000 monuments under its purview, is hampered by archaic laws and a severe resource crunch resulting in tragic loss of heritage sites. In a dramatic build-up of events two years ago, UNESCO was believed to have sent a strictly worded communication pointing out certain lapses by ASI in conserving monuments like the Taj Mahal in Agra, Hampi near Bangalore and the Darjeeling Himalayan Locomotive. What shocked conservationists most was the Taj Corridor threat under the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh. If that had happened the Indian authorities would have no one else to blame but themselves.
International Outcry Besides being threatened to be vandalised by politicians and bureaucrats, there has also been an international outcry over the alarming air pollution levels around the Taj Mahal resulting in the yellowing of the original white marble. Environmentalists have now also noticed a black tint that is settling on the marble. The ASI had complained to the Pollution Board and the Uttar Pradesh state government to check the deteriorating environment. It had specially asked for a ban on the polluting tanneries operating around the vicinity of the Taj. But people say that despite government assurances, a number of tanneries are still going about their business in collusion with the authorities with callous disregard for one of the most beautiful monuments of the world. But it’s not the Taj alone, Elephanta Caves too is faring no better. The caves granted World Heritage status in 1987, date back to the sixth century and boast of some of India's most magnificent rock-cut sculptures of Lord Shiva built during the reign of the Rashtraputa kings. They contain huge images of Brahma, Parvati, Natraja and Shiva. The best and most famous of these is Maheshmurti --- a three-headed bust of Shiva about six metres high. All these priceless works of art are under serious threat. Approximately 20 lakh people visit the caves annually from all over the world. However, alongwith them many visitors also bring plastic bags full of food. Over the years it had become common sight to see picnickers littering the surroundings with leftover food packets and plastic bags. Many tourists even perch atop the magnificent Maheshmurti statue for photo sessions thus weakening its precious foundation. Shockingly this site, till sometime ago, was used as a lavatory by tourists and picnickers To ensure that such things do not happen in future, active measures have been taken for the protection and conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage. A panel called the World Heritage Committee has been established within the UNESCO. It comprises 15 states and has set up a world heritage fund for the protection of the sites. The money is collected by taking compulsory contributions from the states which is then allocated to various projects across the globe. For example, after declaring the Elephanta Caves a World Heritage Site, UNESCO granted around Rs. 50 lakhs to document its history and draw up a site plane alongwith the conservation of the caves." Earlier nothing was being done to save the site from devastation. Once we were retained by UNESCO we began pooling in our expertise to do something urgently," says Ashish Banerjee, member secretary, INTACH. Motivated by UNESCO, many individuals and leading corporate houses are pooling in for heritage. Take for example the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan. Sometime back its walls came under serious threat because of the seepage of sewerage. In 2001 a group of Americans presented a cheque worth US $ 100,000 to INTACH, for the conservation of the fort. Corporate Funding Three years ago the ministry of culture set up the National Cultural Fund to mobilize money from corporate houses to preserve important monuments. The Humayun's Tomb, one of Delhi's most famous historical sites, got a facelift thanks to corporate funding. The ASI revived the medieval monument's water channels and spruced up its garden much the same way they were when the mausoleum was first built. The Rs. 90 lakh aid to restore the monument came from the Indo-British 50th Anniversary Trust, comprising a group of British expatriates, which has raised funds from the Oberoi group of hotels and the Aga Khan Foundation. The local public too is now contributing to this cause. Look at the example of one of the world's narrowest gauge trains, the Ghoom train which has been given the World Heritage status. Just two feet wide--- is a marvel of railway engineering connecting New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. Though there is great neglect of heritage sites in India the authenticity and integrity of this line as originally commissioned in July 1881 has been preserved intact. There have been only minor additions like introduction of additional reversal between Tindharia and Rongtong. All station buildings have been conserved as they were originally constructed. This is thanks mainly to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Heritage Foundation and other bodies which are engaged in ensuring that the original theme and structure remains unaltered. Other then this, some state governments are also getting into the act. Take the example of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), which after successfully converting ancient palaces into resorts, is now gearing up to restore some of the state's precious forest forts into heritage sites. Thus even as the World Heritage Day draws near, one thing is becoming abundantly clear--even in a country like India, urban heritage is poised to become an important issue in the years to come. Conservationists have virtually shaken the government and the ASI out of their slumber to formulate strategies for the upkeep of heritage sites. The negative aspects aside, the ASI on its part is broadening the meaning of preservation. Not only are structures of historical, aesthetic, architectural or cultural significance included, but green neighbourhoods along with natural features like hills, water bodies and forests near the sites would also be preserved and protected. Now with the corporate world moving in and making investments in these sites, the country’s heritage seems to be passing into safe hands. *****
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