Seeking to preserve buildings and sites of historic, aesthetic, cultural or environmental value, the Uttarakhand government is planning to bring a special legislation to cover unprotected heritage in the state.
The Uttarakhand Heritage Act seeks to conserve landmarks such as the Almora Jail, where Pt Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned, the colonial-era Raj Bhawan in Nainital, historic precincts and trees, groves and natural fields of environmental significance, an official said.
It aims at preserving and restoring heritage buildings and sites, which are not protected by the central law of the Archaeological Survey of India or any other existing government policies, she added.
The State Directorate of Culture has formulated a draft legislation and invited public suggestions on it.
“The draft is ready and will soon be sent for the Cabinet’s approval,” Uttarakhand Deptt of Culture Director Beena Bhatt said.
“The far-reaching legislation will also cover streetscapes and artefacts, besides protecting the sacred groves, mountains, traditional bridle paths, wetlands and wooded areas,” Ms Bhatt said.
Around 71 monuments in Uttarakhand are protected by the State government under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, while another 40 archaeological sites are covered by the Central government, through the ASI, under the same act.
The heritage authority would have the State Chief Secretary as its chairman and other key officials, along with experts such as an architect, a structural engineer, a historian and an environmentalist, as members.
The statute would also cover natural features of environmental significance and sites of scenic beauty and provide for conservation and protection of areas which are environmentally sensitive.
Uttarakhand has a number of ancient temples and British-era buildings. It is also one of the few States in the country which can boast of two Raj Bhawans -- one in Dehradun and one in Nainital.
The Uttarakhand Heritage Act seeks to conserve landmarks such as the Almora Jail, where Pt Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned, the colonial-era Raj Bhawan in Nainital, historic precincts and trees, groves and natural fields of environmental significance, an official said.
It aims at preserving and restoring heritage buildings and sites, which are not protected by the central law of the Archaeological Survey of India or any other existing government policies, she added.
The State Directorate of Culture has formulated a draft legislation and invited public suggestions on it.
“The draft is ready and will soon be sent for the Cabinet’s approval,” Uttarakhand Deptt of Culture Director Beena Bhatt said.
“The far-reaching legislation will also cover streetscapes and artefacts, besides protecting the sacred groves, mountains, traditional bridle paths, wetlands and wooded areas,” Ms Bhatt said.
Around 71 monuments in Uttarakhand are protected by the State government under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, while another 40 archaeological sites are covered by the Central government, through the ASI, under the same act.
The heritage authority would have the State Chief Secretary as its chairman and other key officials, along with experts such as an architect, a structural engineer, a historian and an environmentalist, as members.
The statute would also cover natural features of environmental significance and sites of scenic beauty and provide for conservation and protection of areas which are environmentally sensitive.
Uttarakhand has a number of ancient temples and British-era buildings. It is also one of the few States in the country which can boast of two Raj Bhawans -- one in Dehradun and one in Nainital.
Press Trust of India
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