Kerala - Kochi   

Rs.100-crore conservation plan proposed

Staff Reporter

As part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission

SHOWPIECE: One of the carriages used by the erstwhile kings of Kochi on display at Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithura. The Kochi Corporation has proposed to include Thripunithura as one of the heritage zones in its heritage conservation plan. - Phot o: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: The Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (CHED) has proposed a Rs.100-crore heritage conservation programme, including setting up of a museum for culture and heritage of Kochi and preparation of management plan for heritage precincts.

The programme has been proposed to be included in the City Development Plan that is being prepared as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission project.

Restoration of important canals like Kalvathy and Rameswaram, slum rehabilitation project for Mattancherry, urban renewal scheme for Fort Vypeen heritage zone and conservation of mangroves have been envisaged in the plan.

A total urban design project for Broadway to create a pedestrian-friendly street, spice museum by making use of the derelict godowns in Mattancherry, relocation of the wholesale market at Ernakulam to Maradu and restoration of the market pond at Ernakulam also have been suggested.

The Mangalavanam bird sanctuary and its adjoining areas have found special mention in the conservation plan. Conserving Mangalavanam by regulating the flow and quality of water into the sanctuary, protecting the natural heritage from encroachments, enforcing development guidelines in the adjoining areas and converting the abandoned railway station into a heritage centre have been suggested.

The proposal for a world-class heritage museum for Kochi city with the technical support of various institutions has also been suggested.

Heritage zones proposed

The plan has proposed a few heritage zones for Kochi covering Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Fort Vypeen Integrated Heritage Zone (first zone) and Wellingdon Island Heritage Zone.

The other zones that have been suggested are: Ernakulam central area, canal network, Kochi estuary natural heritage zone, Thripunithura and Mangalavanam natural heritage zone.

Various sub-zones have also been suggested in the plan.

Detailed listing of buildings, structures and precincts of historic, architectural, aesthetic cultural and environmental significance has been mooted. Onsite listing and documentation of outstanding heritage sites in the city and inviting or organising public hearing for suggestions, additions, observations and objections should become part of the listing and documentation work, the plan suggested.

A value-based identification process has also been proposed for heritage listing.

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