The document discusses heritage management and preservation challenges in the Indian context. It finds that while heritage management has recognized India's cultural significance, more needs to be done for preservation. Key challenges include lack of recognition, supervision and funding of heritage sites, as well as issues like encroachment, pollution, and improper management. Suggestions are made to strengthen awareness campaigns, lobbying efforts, and incentives to private owners to help overcome gaps and minimize challenges to better preserve India's cultural heritage.

1. INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON
INDIAN ART HERITAGE IN A CHANGING WORLD: CHALLENGES AND
PROSPECTS
Organized by:
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY OF ART, FACULTY OF ARTS
BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
VARANASI - 221005
27TH FEB-1ST MARCH
HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND THE EMERGING CHALLENGES IN HERITAGE
PRESERVATION IN INDIAN CONTEXT
Kuldeep Singh, Research Scholar, Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management, M.D.U
Rohtak.
Arnab Gantait, Research Scholar, Department of Tourism Studies, Pondicherry
University.
Dr. Goldi Puri, Assistant Professor, Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management, M.D.U
Rohtak.
Prof. G. Anjaneya Swamy, Department of Tourism Studies, Pondicherry University.

2. INTRODUCTION
Indian heritages are related with country’s rich history. By
introducing and promoting Heritage Tourism we can achieve socio-
economic and environmental benefits, those also support the
Responsible Tourism objective i.e. ‘Create Better Place To Live In And
Better Place To Visit’.
This study is a humble attempt to find out the gap in between what
has done so far and what should be done in case of heritage
management in Indian context. We have highlighted the present
status of heritage management in India and side by side, we have
identified few constraints and challenges in heritage preservation and
have suggested few suggestions at the end how to overcome those
challenges to ensure the sustainability of our Cultural Heritage
Resources.

3. OBJECTIVE
The objective of the paper is:
To endorse awareness on Indian heritages (monuments).
To understand the present status of Heritage Tourism in India.
To highlight the brief history of Management and Conservation of
Indian Heritages.
To identify the constraints in Heritage Management and
Preservation in Indian Context.
To suggest how to overcome these constraints.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The present study is based on both primary and
secondary data. The primary data based on the
visit to different heritage sites and interaction with
the local community, tourists and respective
officials. The secondary data is collected from
various literature sources which include research
papers, reports published in newspapers, travel
magazines, websites etc.

4. HERITAGE & HERITAGE TOURISM
D. J. Timothy, 2009:
It is a dynamic reference point that acts as an instrument
to ensure stability and economic development in long
run.
G. P. Nyaupane, 2009:
It encompasses existing cultures and folkways of today,
music, dance, language, religion, cuisines, artistic
tradition, festivals and material vestiges of the built
cultural environment including monuments, historic
public buildings and archeological ruins and relics.
Günlü, E., Pırnar, İ., & Yağcı, K., 2009:
It records and expresses the processes of historic
development forming the essence of diverse national,
regional, indigenous and local identities”.
Garrod & Fyall, 2001 :
Tourists’ activity in a place having the historic artifacts.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation :
Traveling to experience the places, artifacts and
activities that authentically represent the stories and
people of the past and present.

5. LITERATURE REVIEW FINDS THE GAP IN BETWEEN
HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
(WHAT IS DONE SO FAR) AND PRESERVATION (WHAT
SHOULD BE DONE)
After understanding the cultural and economic significance of Indian heritage
slowly, people in India have started paying more and more attention its
preservation but still there are many hindrances, those are bothering the
preservation initiatives.
Supporting by Research Papers:
Timothy D.J. & S.W. Boyed (2003):
He mentions few heritage site issues like politics, management, conservation and
interpretation in his writings.
Mishra (2006):
He blames:
The increasing pollution at heritage sites due to unregulated tourist traffic,
Lack of admiration of the traditional architectures, cultures and traditions,
Inadequate investment from the local government and other private
stakeholders,
Improper supervision and plan for being the main challenges in heritage
management in the Indian context.

6. TO BE CONTINUED..
Supported by News Articles:
1. “Amar Ujala” on 7th April in 2000:
UNESCO accepted the proposal of to enlist the Himalayan Railway
(Darjeeling) in World Heritage Site list but at the same time rejected other 11
proposals of Indian Government because of Govt. failed to submit papers
with proper formats and much-needed evidence!!!
2. ‘The Hindu’ in 2001 :
The article named ‘Encroachment poses threat to monuments’ indicated
towards the issue encroachment - becoming a threat to old monuments in
Sanchi, Khajuraho, Gwalior, Mandu, Chanderi like heritage sites of Madhya
Pradesh state.
Supported by Archival Records:
The problems faced in pre-independence era and post-independence era in
case of the preservation of ancient Indian heritages are almost similar.

7. Expert Opinion:
Conservation architect, Abha Narain Lambah, feels that India is still lacking
any financial support mechanisms for privately owned buildings. She also
raised voice for the need to alter government policies on these structures.
GAP BETWEEN HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND
PRESERVATION
At an Idea Exchange, conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah speaks about finance for conservation of
private buildings. (Source: www. indianexpress.com)

8. BRIEF HISTORY OF MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF
HERITAGES
REGULATIONS AND POLICIES ADOPTED
After Independence:
1978: The State Department of Archaeology
1984: INTACH was founded
2006: UNESCO launched IHCN program
2009: IHCN-F (Indian Heritage Cities
Network Foundation).
During the British Raj:
1810: Bengal Regulation
(XIX)
1817: Madras Regulation
(VII)
1863: Act XX
1861: ASI was established.
1904: Monuments
Preservation Act (VII)
Ancient India:
First instance of conservation of Indian heritages : 3rd century BC: Emperor
Ashoka of Maurya Dynasty
Medieval Age:
14th century AD: Turkic Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty, Firuz Shah
Tughlaq took initiatives to preserve ancient monuments

9. INITIATIVES TAKEN BY STATE GOVERNMENT - FEW
EXAMPLES
Initiatives taken by Kerala
Government
The Rajasthan government issued detailed guidelines disallowing any
tinkering with old heritage properties while developing them as tourist
places .
Heritage Conservation Committee, headed by the Municipal Commissioner of
Kolkata Municipal Corporation has taken initiative to identify, reconstruction
and restoration of heritage monuments.
Total 500 Crore INR has been allotted to this scheme and 12 heritage cities will be covered under it.

10. INITIATIVES TAKEN BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS - FEW EXAMPLES

11. CHALLENGES IN HERITAGE PRESERVATION IN INDIAN
CONTEXT
Recognition and Supervision
of Heritages
The Dearth of Persistent
Lobbying
Lack of Interest in
Maintenance of Heritages

12. ENCROACHMENT

13. Haphazard Growth
Surrounding Heritage
Monuments
Pollution
Improper Heritage
Management
Mehrauli’s heritage structures are fast
disappearing as demolitions and unauthorized
construction continue apace. (Source: HT)
Pollution Surrounding Charminar, Hyderabad
MORE CHALLENGES ..

14. VANDALIZED MONUMENTS OF INDIA
Taj Mahal. Agra
Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan
Charminar, Hyderabad
Red Fort. Delhi
Humayun Tomb, Delhi Lodhi Garden, Delhi

15. Buildings and Development
Transportation Infrastructure
Utilities or Service Infrastructure
Pollution
Biological resource use/modification
Physical resource extraction
Local conditions affecting physical
fabric
Social/cultural uses of heritage
Other human activities
Climate change and severe weather
events
Sudden ecological or geological
events
Invasive/alien species or hyper-
abundant species
14 PRIMARY THREATS – A STANDARD LIST OF THE FACTORS
AFFECTING THE HERITAGE PROPERTIES
In 2008, the World Heritage Committee adopted a standard list of factors
affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties.
Many of these factors are common to the problems we are facing in India
regarding heritage management and preservation.
Source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/factors/

16. SUGGESTION: TO FULFILL THE GAP AND MINIMIZE THE
CHALLENGES
Better civic sense and a sense of responsibility.
Regular investigations to uncover the culprits and their supporters, involving in
vandalism.
Restrict the trade of illicit trafficking of antiquities in domestic and international level.
Ban on purchasing of illicit antiquities from the market.
Start awareness program on heritage preservation.
Strong lobbying with concrete steps and arguments for the inclusion of the other
heritage objects apart from the heritage elements, already have secured a place in
the UNESCO ‘WHS’ list the by proving ‘outstanding universal value.’
‘Freedom Walk’, Street Plays can be organized in heritage sites on all national level
festivities so that people can gather in large numbers to celebrate the events and to
understand its significance and respect pay homage.
The government should start giving incentives, soft loans to the owner of heritage

17. Publish brochures, newspapers and books on topic regarding heritage conservations
and disseminate information.
Displaying the ethnic products in the core heritage zone.
The officials, working in various departments related to heritage preservation and
management, should be motivated to take participation in various workshops where
their knowledge, skills and attitudes on heritage can be developed and enhanced.
(B. Shankar, Dr. C. Swamy, 2013)
Heritage awards can be initiated to recognize the conservation efforts made by
individuals, organizations, schools and media people.
Many experts have opined that earning the coveted UNESCO tag would not only
have ramped up the revenues but also help in keeping heritage free of encroachment
(Economic Times, 24 May 2015).
SUGGESTION

18. HERITAGE : A LINK BETWEEN CULTURE AND TOURISM
Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance, 2002 :
Though there is confusion in between the two terms ‘culture’ and ‘heritage’, as
there is no such clear definition that differs these two terms. Therefore, some
call it ‘cultural tourism’, some ‘heritage tourism’, some ‘cultural & heritage
tourism’ and in recent time it is being addressed as ‘cultural heritage tourism’.
HERITAGE TOURISM – A RESPONSIBLE TOURISM APPROACH
TOWARDS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL
TREASURES OF A NATION
Heritage Tourism certifies that the
recognition of any noteworthy element
is important enough to be preserved
and maintained with proper care and
supervision so that, later on these
elements can be passed on to the future
generations – A Responsible Tourism
approach that should be followed by all
to protect their nation’s natural and
cultural treasures and to offer a better
quality of life for residents and visitors

19. STATUS OF HERITAGE TOURISM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Heritage tourism has gained a substantial attention in the tourism industry in
recent years.
Heritage tourism is growing faster compared to other tourism segments
worldwide.
Heritage tourism is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors in the
developing nations and it is one of many potential tools for poverty alleviation
and community development.
Constraints are different in the less developed world from the conditions in the
developed world.
McCain and Ray, 2003 :
Britton (1982), P. Teo, S. Huang (1995), Oppermann and Chon (1997), Huybers
(2007) :
UNWTO (2005):
Luigi Cabrini (2002), Parker (2007), Günlü, Ebru, İge Pırnar and Kamil Yağcı
(2009):
Recent study reveals that almost 60 % of all of UNESCO‘s World
Heritage Sites are located in the developing countries.
Maneesh Pandey (2006):
It is beneficial for the whole of South-East Asia and South Asia from the
socio-economic point of view.

20. CONCLUSION
The Indian heritage is the result of the development of the people of
India in the social economical political and cultural fields over a period
of thousands of years. Therefore, it is the primary and pious duty of us
as a responsible Indian citizen, to ensure that no one can harm to our
ancient memorials and to the preserved places having immense
historical significance and values.
We should consider it our moral duty to maintain the purity virginity,
sanctity, and beauty of these places.
The Indian Government should involve Indian High
Commissions/Embassies to enlist such heritage sites/ structure within
a stipulated time limit. This work and then maintenance of heritages
can be done by our diplomatic offices abroad. It will add an extra value
to the prestige of India and pride of Indians.