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Heritage conservation can drive climate action

India has a storied past that is home to amazing monuments and archaeological treasures. The preservation of built heritage is typically seen as being in the long-term interests of society since they reflect a distinctive legacy of civilisation.
However, the vast majority of India’s architectural landmarks and heritage sites are still unknown and largely unprotected, and even those that are are subject to problems brought on by climate change and unsustainable tourism activities. As a result, the problems associated with Indian Heritage must be thoroughly considered and comprehensively resolved.
What is a Heritage?
● Heritage is generally understood to refer to those structures, regions, and precincts that are significant in terms of history, aesthetics, architecture, ecology, or culture.
● It is important to understand that a heritage site’s “cultural landscape” is an essential component of how the site and its constructed legacy are understood.
● The three key concepts that can be considered to determine whether a property can be listed as a Heritage are:
○ Historic significance
○ Historic integrity
○ Historic context.
● In India, heritage includes ruins, relics, and archaeological sites.
● The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and its counterparts, who are the nation’s principal custodian of “Monuments and Sites,” guard them.
What is the Role of India’s Rich Heritage in Embracing its Cultural Identity?
● Indian history storytellers: Heritage is a legacy of material items and intangible qualities that are inherited, kept, and passed down through the generations.
○ Indian society has integrated spiritual, religious, social, and political importance into its heritage.
● Respecting Diversity: The history of India is a museum of various ethnic groups, cultures, socioeconomic classes, religions, traditions, and belief systems.
● Respecting Nature: Indian society provided every culture with the chance to develop, which is evident in the variety of its heritage. The goal is not to promote uniformity at the expense of diversity.
What are the International Conventions Relating to Heritage?
● Convention on the Means of Interdiction and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 1977
● Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Convention of 2005
● convention from 2006 on the promotion and protection of cultural diversity
● India has been chosen to serve on the United Nations World Heritage Committee for the years 2021–25.
What are the Challenges Associated with Heritage Conservation in India?
● Climate change and pollution are two issues that our historic sites must contend with. India is still working to protect the Taj Mahal from pollution.
○ India has faced a wave of flooding as a result of climate change in numerous areas of the country, including those where important historical sites are located.
○ Some of the most recent instances of cultural sites being damaged by natural disasters, which are thought to be caused by global warming, are Puri in Odisha and Hampi in Karnataka.
● Heritage Encroachments: Many ancient monuments have been encroached upon by local residents, shopkeepers, and souvenir sellers.
○ There is no symmetry between these buildings and the landscape or the architectural design of the nearby landmarks.
○ For instance, the Taj Mahal’s grounds next to Khan-i-Bagh Alam’s were encroached upon, according to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) Report, 2013, which was published.
● Exploitation over Excavation: Numerous archaeological sites in India that contain abundant artefact deposits have been exploited by development operations.
○ A further issue is that there is no provision for Cultural Resource Management prior to developmental projects.
● Lack of Database for Heritage Sites: There is no comprehensive national database with state-by-state distribution of heritage structures in India.
○ There are believed to be more than 4000 heritage towns and cities across the nation, according to the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which has inventoried around 60,000 buildings in about 150 localities.
● Lack of Human Resource: The largest issue facing organizations like ASI is the lack of sufficient numbers of skilled and competent human resources to care for the monuments and carry out conservation efforts.
What are the Recent Government Initiatives Related to Heritage Conservation?
● National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), 2007
● Adopt a Heritage Programme
● Project Mausam
Way Forward:
● Reimaging Excavation and Conservation Policy: In light of the changing scenarios with the advancement in technology, ASI needs to update its Excavation Policy.
○ Using new technology such as Photogrammetry & 3D Laser scanning, LiDAR and satellite remote sensing surveys should be used for documentation, surveys, excavation and conservation.
● Smart City, Smart Heritage: It is necessary to consider the Heritage Impact Assessment for all large infrastructure projects.
○ The Heritage Identification and Conservation Projects need to be adjoined to the city master plans and integrate with the Smart City Initiative.
● Innovative Strategies for Increasing Engagement: The use of monuments that do not attract a large number of visitors and not have cultural/religious sensitivity can serve as venues for cultural and wedding programmes that can fulfill twin objective:
○ The promotion of the associated intangible heritage.
○ Increasing visitor numbers to such sites.
● Corporate Heritage Responsibility: As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments, businesses should be urged to undertake monument restoration and maintenance.
● Linking Heritage Conservation with Climate Action: Research on historic sites and practices to understand past responses to changing climate conditions can aid adaptation and mitigation planners in developing strategies that integrate natural science and cultural heritage. Heritage sites can serve as opportunities for climate communication and education.
● For example, coastal and river communities such as the island of Majuli in India have been living with and adapting to changing water levels for centuries.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) Mains
Q.1 Safeguarding the Indian Art Heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (2018)
Q.2 Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (2020)