22 COVER STORY

Efforts are on to maintain heritage character at Fort Area, Thiruvananthapuram. A view before the
work started. On the right, present view.

Conserve Acts in the pre-independence era. However,

in practice, these physical planning exercises
had been giving priority for the
improvement of facilities, utilities and

Our Heritage transportation network and enforcement

of landuse regulations. While Town and
Country Planning conventionally aims at
‘Planning for the future’, the objective of
Conservation of Heritage is to ensure ‘Future
The Department of Archaeology which protects less for the Past’. Thus, in practice, heritage
than 100 monuments, sites and remains under the conservation was often get sidelined as a
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1968 is the minor item.
main state governmental agency, which both addresses The Department of Archaeology
and takes care of conservation of heritage; but limiting which protects less than 100 monuments,
sites and remains under the Archaeological
their scope to those of Archaeological value. Sites and Remains Act of 1968 is the main
state governmental agency, which both
Eapen Varughese addresses and takes care of conservation of

F
or many urban areas in India, Urban/ Regional /Town Planning Acts, considers heritage; but limiting their scope to those
‘conservation of heritage’ as a matter to be dealt in Town Planning Schemes, of Archaeological value. The Archaeological
popularly known as Master Plans, Development Plans etc. The UDPFI Guidelines Survey of India has a meagre 26 protected
prepared by the Institute of Town Planners, India in 1996 also suggest to treat monuments in Kerala and a sizeable
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Heritage and Conservation Areas and scenic value areas as ‘Special Areas’ while formulating portion among them are burial grounds in
proposals. Of late, more emphasis is being given to this sector in Urban and Regional Thrissur district. Does our heritage worth
Planning and the role of urban conservationists is getting widely recognised. only this much? Definitely not.
The Travancore Town Planning Act 1108 ME and Madras Town Planning Act 1920 The Heritage conservation projects in
relatively large scale were also taken up in
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had identified preservation of objects or buildings of archaeological or historic interest or

of natural beauty’ among the matters to be dealt in a Town Planning Scheme. This shows the state for the first time with the Fort
the importance given for conservation of heritage since the inception of Town Planning Area conservation project in

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Thiruvananthapuram with the financial
assistance of the central government under
11 th Finance Commission grant.
Formulated by the Art and Heritage
Commission and implemented by the state
Archaeology Department, the project won
many International and national awards
and accolades.
Kerala is rich in heritage buildings and
heritage precincts of historic, cultural,
architectural and aesthetic value of a
different league. The natural heritage of
Kerala is its strength, which gave it a global
recognition as a major tourist destination.
If the tourism sector has to be sustainable
and made versatile, these man made and
natural heritage of Kerala has to be
conserved at any cost. The suggestions are:
¦ Comprehensive listing of heritage
buildings, heritage precincts and natural
heritage of the state shall be carried out and
it shall be a continuous process. The listed
heritage shall also be graded based on its
heritage value. The conservation of top
grade heritage shall be assigned highest
priority.
¦ It has become highly essential that new
construction activities has to be regulated in
such precincts and alterations to heritage
buildings shall be restricted, with due regard
to conservation practices. Steps in this
direction has already been taken in the case
of Fort Area in Thiruvananthapuram, Fort
Kochi in Ernakulam and Canal Environs
in Alappuzha.
¦ The use/reuse of heritage buildings and
precincts is a critical issue. For heritage
properties, hard-line conventional zoning
shall give way to lenient but careful adaptive
use/reuse zoning. Experience worldwide
shows that such a practice can contribute
to the longevity of such properties by
avoiding their disuse or misuse. This is being
taken care of in variation of Town Planning
Schemes now underway.
¦ For conservation of our heritage often
it is essential to promote sustainable heritage
tourism. The sustenance of heritage tourism
lies in conservation of heritage, whether
man-made or natural. Once convinced, the
market forces will take care of the
conservation of the heritage properties, as
they gain economic value.
¦ Awareness on Heritage conservation is
very crucial. Local Self Government
Institutions, Governmental agencies,
Peoples representatives, entrepreneurs,
property owners and the public at large are
key players. Imparting awareness is essential
in a long run.
¦ Role of Local Self Government
Institution is definitely the key. Awareness
creation in the first stage, imparting
competence in the second stage and
enhanced involvement in the third stage.
¦ Giving monetary assistance for repairs
to listed buildings and maintaining the
heritage character of the listed precincts is
also considered as an option for promoting
heritage conservation.
¦ Promoting conservation of heritage is
essential, as controls alone will not yield
fruitful results. ‘Grihastali scheme
introduced by State Tourism Department
is an example.
¦ Appropriate provisions/regulations
under Town Planning legislation may be
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thought of as advised by the central
government for legitimising the above
aspects.
¦ Town Planning schemes prepared by the
Local Self Government institutions for such
heritage areas shall provide for regulating
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and promoting conservation of heritage.
The writer is the Chief Town Planner,
Government of Kerala.
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 24 PHOTO FEATURE

Dancing
damsels
of Kerala University Youth Festival

Photos: Venicexpress

Kathakali Oppana

Group Dance
January 2007
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 Thiruvathira

Mohiniyattom

January 2007
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