INTACH deliberates on heritage practices

Hyderabad: The Heritage and Communication Services (HECS) division of Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Delhi conducted a joint workshop for the INTACH district convenors of A P and Telangana states with the active cooperation of the state convenor, M Gopalakrishna, co-convenors Sushakumari AP and Anuradha Reddy Telangana at Hyderabad recently.

The workshop conducted by Purnima Dutt of HECS Delhi and her team of Shivaa Rawat and Teresa Pallavi covered important aspects of protection, preservation, conservation and development of heritage. The need for proper upkeep of heritage sites and prevention of encroachments was stressed. Heritage sites and heritage walks could attract a large number of tourists. With good protection and upkeep, many heritage sites in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states could qualify to become World Heritage sites.
The role of government, society, corporates and citizens in safeguarding heritage was stressed. The participants decided to instill in young students and citizens, love for natural heritage, built heritage as well as tangible and intangible heritage. Setting up of heritage clubs in school and colleges and organising heritage exhibitions was flagged; heritage, art and culture should become part of the school curriculum for students.

The Superintending Archeologist of Hyderabad Circe of ASI, Dr Milan Kumar Chauley, explained the problems encountered and need for securing the cooperation of the public and the support of the State government. Shankar Narayan, an architect talked on the problems relating to the protection of heritage sites in urban areas where there is pressure on land. He stressed the need to resolve conflicting requirements of Heritage Protection and Urban Development with better design, use of 3D images.  

Later, the participants travelled by an electric bus to Qutb Shahi Tombs where Yeshwat Purohit and Jaspal Singh of Agha Khan Trust explained the arduous process and painstaking work involved in renovation the tombs. Convenors actively participated in the workshop and heritage games in a competitive environment. They decided to prepare action plans to carry the message of heritage protection to all citizens and infuse in them pride and zeal to safeguard Indian art, culture and heritage.