Cover Story

Heritage at stake?

Recently, the ancient ruins of Hampi in Karnataka were taken off the list of world heritage sites that are in danger, after a UN committee felt it was "no longer under threat" following reduction in motor traffic around the site and the decision not to proceed with a planned shopping centre there. Anupama Sushil tries to find out whether all is well with the other sites and their status regarding maintenance. Or is our heritage in the danger zone?

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Heritage is an important part of our cultural and collective identity; it tells us where we come from as a nation. Therefore, it's only fair that we preserve it for our future generations as have done our predecessors. Because any loss or damage to our heritage properties would leave many questions left unanswered forever.

In 1972, United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) adopted the World Heritage Convention and established a World Heritage Committee and a World Heritage Fund in an effort to preserve heritage sites the world over.

India has identified a total of 27 world heritage sites, including cultural and natural, under the World Heritage Sites Convention. Being on the list is an advantage as the worldwide recognition helps its survival. However, it also exposes these sites to dangers of pollution and urbanism, especially since they play an important role of attracting tourism revenue for the local inhabitants and create employment opportunities.

Present status and upkeep

Attaining the world heritage site status might seem easy as against retaining it. While the property has been nominated for the consideration of the World Heritage Committee a management plan or other management system may not be in place. The state concerned has to prepare a management plan or system, and then mobilise the resources for the preparation and implementation of the management plan or system.

Minja Yang, UNESCO representative to India and director of UNESCO, New Delhi says, "Theoretically, there is a possibility that India's sites could go off the heritage list but the country's promptness at taking corrective measures has made UNESCO give her the confirmation for the sites." Meanwhile, Dr A R Siddiqui, in charge for the world heritage monuments at Archeological Survey of India (ASI), says that the sites are kept well and more initiatives are being taken towards their upkeep.

Talking on the same the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), an autonomous non-governmental organisation set up for the conservation of natural and man-made environment by acting as a pressure group whenever any part of it is threatened, says that while ASI concentrates on the monument, INTACH goes beyond and looks at the entire site and the intangible elements. ASI is doing its duty in keeping up the monument. But our role is not limited to that but extends to create awareness and render technical expertise. The whole deal is about public awareness, summarises A G K Menon, INTACH Convener, Delhi Chapter.

The northern part of the country remains the most visited which means that the northern states like Rajasthan is giving high importance to its cultural heritage sites, said Usha Punia, minister for state for tourism, Rajasthan. Adding to this are the huge amounts being spent on the upkeep of unprotected monuments. Also developing a niche for its products is Madhya Pradesh with three heritage sites. It is looking at the overall picture and assures that the sites are being well taken care of, said G S Chahal, executive director, marketing, Madhya Pradesh Tourism.

The southern states however are complaining. A little unhappy with the government's continued focus on north India, T W Sudhakar, director, India Tourism, Bangalore, says the Centre is pumping in a lot of money to develop the sites. However, tourism in Karnataka is mainly Hampi-centric. While in the north is always given due attention which results in adding monuments from the North every year and in the process those down south are usually forgotten. The state governments and NGOs have to work together and ensure that monuments down South also get the required recognition.

In the western part of the country, the state of Maharashtra is home to many heritage tanks and forts, most of which have been ignored by state authorities and are in a derelict condition. The eastern zone with two major sites of Puri and Sunderbans are being taken care of with Puri getting a grant of Rs 2,000 crore. The state government's tourism department has recently initiated a feasibility study on how to market the Sunderbans as a global destination. The Union tourism minister Ambika Soni, during her recent visit to Kolkata, also has promised all support and co-operation to the state government in this regard

Conservation and tourism

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Tourism is a direct beneficiary of heritage conservation. It is also a fact that conservation and development have to go hand in hand as both are an equally important part of the system. Thankfully, the decision makers have begun to realise this. Delhi tourism is out with its new campaign promoting the city's three world heritage sites and, says Sudhir Sobti, director, PR, Delhi Tourism, it this first attempt that will make a difference.

With backing from the MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation), the MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) in Mumbai created a festival around an archeological tank along with private participation with HSBC and Citibank, to keep it protected. Says Anita Garware, chairperson of the Indian Heritage Society, "The project is one of its kinds. It is a true model of a public-private initiative working positively to attain a goal and is a 15 year-old success story." The festival features ethnic artists with music and foods. Over the years, the festival has become immensely popular with tourists, both domestic and foreign. This could be a possible and successful way of implementing things in the future.

Mukesh Jagga, president, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), says that the UNESCO stamp automatically gets people to the site; it verifies the significance of the place. After talking to different tour operators in the east, it was found that Sunderbans has immense potential to emerge as an international tourist destination but very little has been done to market its strengths. There is lot of enthusiasm among the foreign tourists about Sunderbans, but lack of international class road connectivity and lodging facilities are major deterrents.

On the other hand a senior official of the Tourism Department on condition of anonymity said, "One needs to keep in mind the environmental issues before embarking upon any major tourism or hospitality project in the region, as it is a World Heritage Site and a protected biosphere reserve. Building huge structures may disturb the ecological balance of the region."

Deepak Bhatnagar, vice president, Le Passage to India, explains that culture is the main marketing tool. India is a cultural destination and tourists mainly come for the country's history and culture. "India has 27 world heritage sites, whereas countries in Europe have only one or two such sites and this is where we have a great advantage. We need to strengthen our marketing tool and make it more aggressive to bring in more tourists. The infrastructure has to be improved,” he says.

Steps to be taken

Gangaikondacholapuram

UNESCO stresses that what India needs right now is a master plan for all its sites. Out of the 27 sites in India only 13 have a master plan. A management plan takes care of not only the monument but also the entire site as a whole. Like at Hampi, the project looks at creating an urban settlement that is in sync with the site. The problems of rural migration and urban settlement are not a problem unique to India and states have been able to deal with it using effective management plans.

Also, the ministry of culture is looking at redefining the word 'heritage' and expanding its meaning covering even the non-tangible assets. The ministry of culture is also looking at making a draft bill on monuments and sites; states are to build a statutory body of conservation of these sites. In this entire process, there should be decentralisation of powers for each department to work effectively; local bodies have to be involved in the conservation. It is expected that all these sites have disciplinary authorities and inter-ministerial commitment to the cause is extremely necessary.

Humayun’s Tomb

The Indian government is also looking at heritage cities with partnership from ministry of urban development and ministry of tourism. About 13 cities are being considered for this. A heritage cell, a heritage bill and a heritage walk are most primary. Tourism education is considered the most essential tool for conservation. Building of public-private partnerships is also important. The Park in Delhi has taken charge of the Jantar Mantar with many corporates taking charge for the upkeep of the monuments.

It has now been understood that conservation and development go hand in hand thus the Delhi master plan 2021 heritage has been identified as a planning objective. INTACH currently has 60-70 trained architects with its own charter for conservation. The nodal agency ASI is also now widening its scope of work and is moving from just monument to quality. It aims at preparing a management plan for all the existing sites focusing on the core zone, nearby area, interpretation centres and common facilities. The body believes that views of general public are very important for making a feasible plan and continuous efforts are being made for the same.

Should foreign tourists be made to pay more than the local? This question threw a mixed bag of opinions. One informed official from ASI said that they are using the funds thus generated for the maintenance and the upkeep of the place, though the official agreed it is discriminatory and not a very tourist-friendly idea.

Some from INTACH say charging more is okay since they have enough money to pay. The Tamil Nadu tourism department says the money collected is for a good cause.

Chennai scenario

Hampi

Globally renowned for its shore temples, the seaside village of Mahabalipuram, 58 kilometres from Chennai on the Bay of Bengal, is set in a boulder-strewn landscape. The shore temples were built in the seventh century, during the reign of Rajasimha, and depict the final phase of Pallava art. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. These beautiful temples, ravaged by wind and sea, were given the World Heritage listing in 1983.

P T Krishnan, Chennai Chapter, INTACH, says "Today if one goes to Mahabalipuram, one will find increased commercialisation, tourists are not disciplined, and the local community is focused on taking advantage of tourist with better marketing."

The TTDC (Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation) speaks to the Express TravelWorld, saying that it is planning to work closely with the local civic government bodies, to bring more tangible results.

When asked if there is danger of getting the sites in Tamil Nadu listed in the danger listing, Krishnan says that almost all heritage sites in India are at different levels of endangerment. "Unless we wake up to the reality fast, we will lose this great heritage which was offered to us. The state tourism boards, ASI, the local civic bodies and the communities at the site should sit together and roll up their sleeves and work fast and take a proactive approach," he says.

As for the Chola Temples in Tanjore, the heritage site has a better defined periphery. Its maintenance and upkeep is easier to monitor and better kept compared to the Mahabalipuram Temples, says Krishnan. Two years ago, the Tamil Nadu tourism department released a book on the world heritage sites in the state. The state tourism boards have a greater responsibility to play because they make use of this tourism sites to attract tourists. So they have a greater responsibility to conserve and preserve. We hope that this urgency is heard in the right corridors of power where decisions are made.

With inputs from Joy Roy Choudhary (Kolkata), Sangeetha Neeraja (Chennai), Andrea Lopez (Mumbai)