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Old is gold, so save it
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Heritage sites are crying for attention, like some of the old Tripunithura buildings. K Pradeep feels that urgent measures are needed to protect many sites that are in the process of being listed
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Photo: H. Vibhu
Precious TIME The clock tower in Tripunithura, one of the heritage sites
Ancient buildings breathe the life and times of the culture in which they are located. But the tragedy is that though the economic value of a building, its location, attracts developers, its cultural value goes unrecognised.
Conservation values the building more than anything else, strives to protect it, enhancing its cultural value. Lack of proper conservation plans have resulted in many cities changing, their historic character surviving only in fragments, in isolated, individual buildings. These heritage buildings may not be unique, sometimes even different in character. But they acquire a new status, significance as a group.
Collective importance
Forming Heritage Zones is recognition of this collective importance, where the buildings are considered as one entity, given a special status, demanding new development plans and building rules.
Nearly two years back Tripunithura was recommended to be listed as a Heritage Zone. And this came after years of dilly dallying and loss of precious monuments. But the wait for an official announcement continues.
The erstwhile capital of the Cochin Royalty, this town has been bearing the brunt of Kochi’s overflowing population. This has resulted in indiscriminate pulling down of ancient structures. Despite the Regional Town and Country Planning office listing heritage sites in this area, along with the others in the district, there has been a delay in making this public. As a result one of the listed sites, Yamuna Vihar Palace, has been demolished and a multi-storied apartment building now stands in its place. Many other listed sites also face a similar threat.
“The complete list of the heritage sites in Ernakulam district, along with other districts, will be on the government website in a week’s time. First, we would like to inculcate awareness among the public for the need to protect heritage sites. Second, we know that the lists prepared may not be complete. It is not the final one. There may still be heritage buildings and sites that need to be included,” says Eapen Varughese, Chief Town Planner. The list includes places of worship, palaces, forts, colleges, and most importantly natural heritage sites, like the beaches of Cherai, Puthuvype, Mangalavanam, Bhoothathankettu Dam, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in seven taluks.
In the case of Tripunithura the Bungalow Palace, for instance, has a history that dates back to the Dutch presence in Kochi, with precious French, English and Mughal period murals, which is not listed now. The ancient iron bridge, the naalukettu at Gokulam Palace have not been listed.
Unless there is a specific law, protection of heritage sites is bound to suffer. Many cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad have pushed for a separate Heritage Act. These regulations and acts notify and protect heritage buildings and provide for financial incentives to the owners. “A set of regulations in the form of a bill has been drafted and also approved. It is now awaiting clearance from the department concerned. Complete protection to these sites can be possible only if the law comes into force. Till then active public participation and that of the local bodies, is the only way out,” informs Mr. Varughese.
K. J. Sohan, convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), feels there are rules which can be effectively implemented. “It is more than five years since we prepared a draft of the bill and sent it to the government. We still have zoning laws that are good enough to protect a heritage zone. The laws do not allow buildings in the core area of the heritage sites to be demolished. The buildings that come up near the area should have the character and design of the other heritage sites in the vicinity. Any construction plan will have to gain the approval of the Art and Heritage Commission. So, once the official notification for the heritage zone comes, it won’t be very difficult to protect it.”
The Tripunithura Municipality is all for the conservation and protection of the remaining heritage sites in the town. “In fact, we have already sent our report and suggestions in this regard to the Town Planning Department. Once there is an official announcement we can prevent any sort of violation,” says Ranjini Suresh, chairperson, Tripunithura Municipality.
We take our heritage for granted. The need of the hour is to educate people on the value of culture and heritage. That will be the most effective step to prevent the destructive activities.
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