Awareness towards heritage sites and tourism sector open more opportunities for private players
You read that acid rain is destroying the marble of the Taj Mahal. You were told that the earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat damaged many historical buildings in 2001. You can see that some illegal occupation and total
indifference by authorities have rendered your local town’s fort in a ramshackle condition. Don’t worry, there seems to be some light.Indian Hotels Company signed a MoU with the National Cultural Fund (NCF) in 2001 and funded the project of conservation of the Taj Mahal executed by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) undertook many programs ranging from compiling reports, hosting workshops and executing conservation processes in Bhuj. At the same time, there is hope for any building or monument that has some history attached to it, to claim attention for its conservation—even if it is not listed as a monument.
History and National Importance of Monuments
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 supervises the legal formalities associated with the conservation of historical and archaeological monuments in India. This is "an Act to provide 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."
| Some types of jobs involved in conservation |
| Grouting by pressure and gravity |
| Pointing, types of pointing |
| Underpinning |
| Rock bolting, filleting and edging |
| Inlay work |
| Stucco work |
| Tile work |
| Glass work/mirror work/stained glass work |
| Monitoring of cracks (tell-tales and strain gauges) |
| Plastering (walls and ceilings), lathing, packing with lime concrete and surface treatment, water tightening the tops, purity of water |
According to this Act, 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 100 years.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/Central bodies protect monuments that are of national importance. These monuments are called "protected monuments", which mean ancient monuments that are declared to be of national importance by or under this Act. There are 3650 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, which are protected by ASI. Overall, there are around 8,000 monuments protected by the government, which include temples, mosques, tombs, churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, and secular architecture as well as ancient mounds and sites which represent the remains of ancient habitation.
| Projects funded by WMF in India |
| BASGO GOMPA (MAITREYA TEMPLES) Leh, India |
| CHAMPANER-PAVAGADH Panchmahal, India |
| DALHOUSIE SQUARE Kolkata, India |
| DELHI HERITAGE CITY Delhi, India |
| DWARKA DHEESH MANDIR TEMPLE Ahmedabad, India |
| HAMPI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE Hampi, India |
| ISA KHAN’S COMPLEX AT HUMAYAN’S TOMB, Delhi, India The Isa Khan Complex is a walled area adjacent to Humayan’s tomb and is the resting place of Isa Khan Niyazi, a noble of influence at the court of Sher Shan Suri. |
| JAISALMER FORT, Jaisalmer, India |
| LEH PALACE, Leh, India |
| NAKO TEMPLES Kinnaur Region, India |
| OSMANIA WOMEN’S COLLEGE Hyderabad, India |
| PARADESI SYNAGOGUE Cochin, India |
| QUILA MUBARAK, Patiala, India |
| SAINT ANNE CHURCH Talaulim, Goa, India |
| SUMDA CHUN MONASTERY Leh, India Located at 12,700 feet above sea level in a remote part of the Himalayas, the village of Sumda Chun is accessible only by a three to four hour hike up a steep and winding river valley trail. |
| TAJ MAHAL, Agra, India |
| TOMB OF AHMAD SHAH Bidar, India |
However, there are huge numbers of unprotected structures that need conservation. Apart from that, monuments inherited by public and private bodies throughout India also require conservation process. Some unverified numbers give a figure of 800,000 monuments in India apart from the ones that are protected. Conservation of these sites throws a wide market of opportunities for private companies.
Opportunities for Private Companies
ASI and State/Central departments oversee the conservation work of sites, however, public and private owners of buildings and sites can directly collaborate with NGOs and private companies for the conservation and preservation of their property.
The conservation process may throw opportunities is these areas: inspection and diagnostic services; salvaging, transplantation, reconstruction and restoration of monuments; material used in conservation ranging from brick, lime to wood and metals; labor and masonry work-force; scaffolding, water-proofing and foundation laying materials, architectural consultancy; and monitoring services.
Amita Baig, heritage management consultant, mentioned the opportunities in the field of research and development. She said that technology is being imported and tested on Indian monuments without building infrastructure and proper research and development facilities. So, Indian architects and consultants can explore the possibilities of gaining expertise in newer technologies and grow their market value.
| What process, agencies like ASI and state archaeological departments, adopt while empanelling private consultants? Both Central and State Governments advertise for empaneling not only architects but other specialization in conservation. Once empaneled, these experts are invited to submit bids for different projects as and when they are identified. Selection is done firstly on technical capability and then financial bids are opened.
Apart from consultancy, what are the other areas where private players can have business opportunities while collaborating with these agencies? Do Indian consultants and architects have opportunities in conservation processes done in foreign countries? What future change can be envisaged in terms of technology adopted for conservation process and can some Indian companies tap on that technology change? As an established consultant, what advice would you like to give to the private companies or independent consultants who are looking to enter this market? |
Outsourcing of conservation work
ASI, State/Central bodies, and public and private ownerships like to outsource the conservation process to private companies. They adopt a selection process of empaneling private players and supervising the work with the help of internal teams; public or private bodies may outsource the work directly.
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