The Cause of

conservation

The idea of conservation came to India in 1902, when Lord Curzon set up the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). But except for a minority actively involved in the

cause, awareness and concern remain lacking.

Architectural conservationists face a plethora of problems, including lack of skilled labour and interventional tools, unavailability of good quality material and insensitive

repairs. The lack of strong legislation and absence of pride in our history add to the woes. Isn’t it time we woke up and worked to conserve India’s rich heritage?

TexT: InsITe Correspondent

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“It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.”

- Article 51 A (F) of the Constitution of India

Conservation isn’t a newfangled concept. In 8th Century AD, the Romans established the need to safeguard Greek ruins so as to preserve the past for posterity. since then, civilisations have come and gone, but many structures that were erected during that time still continue to stand tall. All due to the efforts to conserve and preserve the past for the sake of the future.

On the international scene, the UnesCO has been actively involved in throwing the spotlight on the preservation of monuments and cultural property. Major international treaties include the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict, the 1970 UnesCO Convention on prohibiting the trade in illicitly obtained cultural property, and the 1995 Unidroit Convention on the repatriation of cultural objects.

India took its time to take up the cause of conservation – it kicked off when Lord Curzon in 1902, set up the Archaeological survey of India (AsI). But except for a handful, who are actively involved in the cause, awareness and concern among people is greatly lacking.

Today, the main legislations that deal with the conservation of India’s cultural heritage are: • The Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878• The Ancient Monuments Preservation

Act, 1904• The Antiquities (export Control)

Act, 1947• The Ancient Monuments and

Archaeological sites and Remains Act, 1958

• The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains Act 1958 provides for “the preservation of

ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.”

What exactly is an ancient monument? The Act states that an “ancient monument” means any “structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than a hundred years.”

The AsI has conferred “protected” status on 3,650 monuments while as many as 8,000 structures, including temples, mosques, tombs, churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, and ancient mounds and sites, have received the “protected” tag from the government.

What does conservation of a building involve? The many works an old building may call for include grouting by pressure and gravity, various kinds of pointing, underpinning, rock bolting, and filleting and edging, stucco work, inlay work,

1. According to the AsI, an ancient monument is one that is of ‘historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than a hundred years’

Conservation architecture is like medicine and a conservation architect is like a doctor -Vikas Dilawari

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2–3. When it comes to monuments, monitoring of cracks, plastering, lathing, and surface treatments are also conservation jobs

tile work, and glass work/mirror work/stained glass work. Monitoring of cracks, plastering, lathing, packing with lime concrete, and surface treatments are also conservation jobs. Opportunities are also likely in areas such as inspection and diagnostic services; scaffolding; waterproofing; foundation laying; salvaging; transplantation; reconstruction and restoration of monuments; materials, labour and masonry workforce; and architectural consultancy.

A New Chapter

In 1984, the Indian national Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (InTACH) was set up to protect and conserve India’s natural, built and cultural heritage. The non-profit organisation, which received a special consultative status with UnesCO in 2007, has heralded a new chapter in heritage, conservation and preservation. even as the organisation works to conserve India’s rich heritage, its 150 chapters attempt to sensitise people about the country’s pluralistic cultural legacy, document cultural resources, put together heritage policy and regulations,

train and develop skills, and form strategic partnerships and collaborations.

The work of InTACH, which works closely with government departments of tourism, art and culture, PWD, town planning and nGOs, can be classified into: Architectural Heritage (documentation and conservation of historic structures and precincts of architectural, historical and cultural value), natural Heritage (sustainable use of natural resources, eco-restoration, conservation and creation of environmental assets), Material Heritage (services in conservation for art collectors), Heritage Tourism (to synergise heritage with tourism and develop sustainable tourism), and Intangible Cultural Heritage.

speaking about InTACH’s role in preserving India’s heritage, renowned conservation architect Vikas Dilawari said that the organisation spearheaded the conservation movement “through activism and awareness [in the 1980s], and then by executing projects [from 2000].” “some of my finest projects

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are with InTACH, including the BMC Corporation Hall, the restoration of Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai and the nomination of CsT station as a World Heritage site,” he said.

On request, the Architectural Heritage Division often takes on conservation projects involving historic buildings. The division works with conservation architects and provides detailed architectural and structural documentation, analysis of fabric, finishes and décor, and ways to renew and reuse.

However, historian Aman nath, the co-founder of neemrana Hotels, feels that InTACH could do a lot more with the amount of funds the organisation has. “InTACH is listing and talking and creating awareness, but I wish action was swift too. Words can’t keep the past standing upright for too long,” he said.

The World Monuments Fund, a private new York-based organisation, provides technical expertise for conservation process in over than 90 countries. The WMF also funds conservation projects and has, over the last 10 years, funded 17 sites in India. As much as $ 3.5 million was allotted for projects relating to planning, documentation, implementation of conservation works, and site presentation. The WMF usually

backs projects related to disaster recovery, training and education of craftsmen and professionals, and capacity building in infrastructure.

The WMF has funded the conservation of a large number of projects across India. The list includes Taj Mahal, Agra; Basgo Gompa and Leh Palace, Leh; Champaner-Pavagadh, Panchmahals; Dalhousie square, Kolkata; Dwarkadheesh Temple, Ahmedabad; Hampi Archaeological site, Karnataka; Isa Khan’s Complex at Humayun’s Tomb, new Delhi; Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan; Osmania Women’s College, Hyderabad; Quila Mubarak, Patiala; Paradesi synagogue, Kochi; and st. Anne’s Church, Goa.

In India, the Ministry of Culture set up the national Cultural Fund (nCF) with a corpus fund of ` 19.5 crore. Under this, ` 2 crore is being made available since the financial year 1996-97 for conservation projects. The nCF also works with state governments, statutory bodies, private and corporate sectors, trusts, societies, and individuals to obtain funds. The scope of projects includes “proactive generation of projects and sponsorship to bring about visible improvements at monuments and sites; heritage complexes and their environments; to bring monuments

I wish action was swift too…words can’t keep the past standing upright for too long-Aman Nath

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back into the lifestyle and culture of local communities; environmental development in and around the heritage sites; structural conservation, chemical preservation and refurbishment of the monuments; and providing visitor-friendly amenities.”

However, a large number of monuments – estimates put the number at around 800,000 – are still not under any organisation’s ambit. The conservation of these sites needs participation from non-government organisations and private companies. In case an individual or a private/public body wants to suggest that a site be conserved, they can approach the municipal bodies, state archaeological departments, AsI circle offices or the regional chapters of

InTACH. After inspection and listing (if necessary), a proposal will be developed for conservation. Work will start only after legal formalities are completed and necessary funds are obtained.

The AsI and state archaeological departments often empanel private consultants (apart from architects, other conservation specialists are also invited). After empanelling, the experts are invited to submit bids for different projects as and when they are identified.

Conservation architecture may have once been a neglected offshoot of the field, but it has now come a long way. Architectural conservationists take stock of the material, historical and design integrity of our built heritage and decide on intervention after considering the artistic and contextual values. India has a large number of architects involved in conservation and restoration works – primary among them are Brinda somaya, Abha narain Lambah and Vikas Dilawari.

somaya, the founder of somaya & Kalappa Architects, is among the foremost conservation architects of India. Among the prestigious projects in her kitty are the restoration of st. Thomas Cathedral in Mumbai, nRK House, Cathedral and John Cannon schools, the Tata Consultancy services Campus (in collaboration with Tod Williams and4

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Billie Tsien) and the restoration of earthquake-ravaged Bhadli village in Gujarat in 2001 (she won the Union of International Architects prize for alleviation of poverty for this).

Vikas Dilawari, who has a double masters in conservation (sPA, new Delhi, and University of York, U.K.), has an impressive lineup of works to his credit. The list includes public buildings like University of Mumbai’s library, Aga Khan Palace and BMC’s Corporation Hall as well as private projects like restoration of Army & navy Building for Tata sons. Dilawari, who was involved in listing the Chattrapati shivaji Terminus in Mumbai as a World Heritage site in 2004, won the UnesCO Award for the restoration of Mumbai’s Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum. “Conservation architecture is like medicine and a conservation architect is like a doctor,” Dilawari says. “Any medicine that works with no side effects is best for the patient, in this case the building. Having said this all cases are different and one has to evaluate them individually.”

Abha narain Lambah got her bachelor’s and master’s degree in conservation architecture from the school of Planning and Architecture in new Delhi, and started her career with stein Doshi & Bhalla in 1993. Among her many projects are the restoration of the 15th

Century Temple of Maitreya Buddha in Basgo, Ladakh, the 15th Century Chandramauleshwara and 16th Century Krishna temples at the World Heritage site of Hampi, nomination dossiers for shantiniketan and Hyderabad, and preparation of management plans for Ajanta World Heritage site and the old fortified city of sisupalgarh. Her practice has won five UnesCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Heritage Conservation.

Lambah believes that in europe, strong urban conservation rules ensure that any historic area is well regulated with signage control, new building control, conservation guidelines and incentives for heritage. “We need to adopt these for India where the policy is ‘monument-centric,’” she says.

But the rise of conservation architects and awareness does not mean that all’s hunky-dory. Among the problems the sector faces is the fact that in India, conservation and restoration continue to rely greatly on manual work while experts abroad use a surfeit of mechanical and electronic instruments. The lack of skilled labour is another problem that delays or hampers work at sites.

Listing problems, Dilawari says the biggest cause of destruction is easy and surplus money. “When there are surplus funds available, the intervention aims in doing maximum, whereas basic tenet of conservation is to do minimum. Also, the present day workmanship in the given governmental formats and specification with work to be awarded to lowest tenderer is another cause for decay and destruction. Insensitive repairs by untrained contractors who are experimenting with untested products also causes permanent damage. The

4–5. Conservationists consider the material, historical and design integrity of built heritage and decide on intervention after considering the artistic and contextual values

6. Heritage conservation needs long-term commitment, not just short-term passion to conserve our natural and cultural heritage

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unavailability of good lime as an Is product on the market (like cement) is also a major hindrance as is the availability of traditional materials, craftsmen and techniques,” he says. “Ignorance of the cultural significance by the owner, user and consultant is another factor responsible for decay and destruction.”

“Unlike the West, where conservation is about two centuries old, we are only two decades old and neither do we have strong traditions of conservation nor strong legislation, “ Dilawari says. “Reconstruction is totally insensitive to heritage and capitalises on availing maximum FsI as per present byelaws. Last, but not the least, the lack of pride in owning or residing in historic properties is missing to a very large extent,” he adds.

elaborating on the role of architects in this arena, he says, “The bulk of present-day practicing architects are not so sensitive to this subject. They are happy to get projects where heritage is being demolished and they will re-develop using the max FsI and with

pastiche of conservation of the building or area as window dressing to justify that they are sensitive to conservation. However, the damage is done by the generic statutory development rules that are applicable to newer areas and heritage area alike. Also there is not much sharing of knowledge among conservation architects.”

When it comes to skill sets, Indian specialists – currently dependent on existing methodologies - need to develop groundbreaking techniques and skills if they are to compete in the international market. India also needs to invest in research and development in this field, if it wants to protect and preserve its heritage without the aid of foreign talent. The sector cannot sustain without increased partnership, financial, technical and management. Heritage conservation needs long-term commitment, not just short-term passion, so that we can continue to conserve India’s natural and cultural heritage.

“In our country we have a plethora of monuments but are not adequately

In our country we have a plethora of monuments but are not adequately looking after them, especially living heritage-Abha Narain Lambah

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looking after them, especially living heritage such as institutional buildings, historic housing stock of havelis in old towns and urban conservation. We need to prioritise on urban conservation to save our historic town quarters in cities as well as the larger visual scape of our towns,” Lambah says, adding that conservation work also faces roadblocks in the form of “lack of a holistic vision, bureaucratic red tape and paucity of funds.”

Dilawari sums it all up. “There’s so much to be done but it’s a good start for a very long journey. It is sad that we don’t care for our heritage as they do in western countries at all levels, be it institutional/government, as users, as visitors and as owners. Heritage is a very valuable cultural resource. The government is unconcerned as it focuses on only development. As compared to the West,

we still lag. But a few areas (Rajasthan, Pondicherry and Mumbai) are doing better compared to others.”

“To preserve and conserve our built heritage, we need to create awareness, followed by mapping of our cultural resources (which helps in legislation). Owners and users of heritage structures should be given initiatives such as exemption in increase in property tax, leases, charging market rents etc. We need to go for adaptive reuse rather than demolition, and need proper conservation contractors just like building contractors. Training owners on maintenance, making salvaged material available at economical costs and new development rules for heritage buildings and precincts are other steps required for conservation of our built heritage,” Dilawari concludes.•

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7. Indian conservation specialists must develop groundbreaking techniques and skill sets if they are to compete in the international market

8. the need of the hour is to create awareness and map our cultural resources if we are to preserve and conserve our built heritage

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