Articulating Heritage Significance and Management in India:
With the onset of the Monument Mitra Scheme, private firms will soon garner partnerships with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to care for roughly 1,000 monuments. This collaboration, based on the Corporate Social Responsibility model, aims to preserve and promote India’s heritage sites for future generations. This article will throw light on the importance of heritage, management hurdles, and various government initiatives.
Unveiling the Monument Mitra Scheme
The Monument Mitra Scheme, part of the Adopt A Heritage project, involves enterprises, public sector companies, or individuals partnering with the government to ‘adopt’ and maintain heritage sites throughout India. Initially launched under the Ministry of Tourism, the scheme was later transferred to the Ministry of Culture, which aims to develop monuments and tourist sites alike.
The Essence of Heritage
Heritage refers to buildings, artefacts, structures, areas, and precincts of historical, aesthetic, architectural, ecological, or cultural value. In India, our heritage comprises archaeological sites, remains, and ruins cared for by the primary custodian, ASI. Heritage structures have a critical cultural landscape surrounding them, which forms an integral part for their interpretation.
The Influence of India’s Heritage
Heritage represents India’s history, embodying spiritual, religious, social, and political significance, helping us understand the past generations. The diversity reflected in our heritage, ranging from different communities, customs, traditions, religions, cultures, languages, castes, and social systems, testifies to India’s pluralistic society. Economically, heritage sites act as significant revenue generators through tourism-related activities.
Challenges in Heritage Management in India
Despite its importance, heritage management in India faces several challenges, including lack of established databases for heritage sites. The Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), responsible for documenting heritage structures, has inventoried about 60,000 buildings across 150 cities, which merely scratch the surface of India’s rich heritage. Other hurdles include encroachments on heritage sites by local residents and shopkeepers, leading to architectural disharmony, and a lack of qualified personnel required for conservation activities.
Government Initiatives for Heritage Management
Several initiatives have been launched by the Indian government to aid heritage management. The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), initiated in 2007, is one such project. Another initiative, Project Mausam, also contributes significantly to this cause.
Revamping Heritage Sites in India
Strategies for developing heritage sites include integrating Heritage Impact Assessments with large infrastructure projects and incorporating Heritage Identification and Conservation Projects within city master plans. Promoting lesser-known monuments as venues for cultural events and weddings could help increase visitor engagement. Furthermore, linking heritage conservation with climate action could serve as an effective tool for climate communication and education.
This article has explored the importance of India’s heritage, the challenges faced while managing it, and several strategies to develop these cherished sites further. It highlights the significance of heritage in our lives and the necessity to ensure its preservation.
