Greater Kashmir joins INTACH in conservation of shrines, heritage

Srinagar, Dec 14 (UNI) Greater Kashmir, a leading English daily from here, has tied up with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for conservation of the Valley's architectural heritage and shrines.

The Centre for Heritage and Environment of Kashmir (CHEK) is also part of the collaborative conservation project.

According to a statement by INTACH - Jammu and Kashmir chapter, the traditional mosques and shrines are one of the richest representations of the cultural heritage of the Valley. ''This built heritage has evolved over a period of centuries through cross- cultural exchanges between Kashmir, Iran and other Islamic cities of Central Asia,'' it added.

''Unfortunately, our generation has not shown enough sensitivity to respect and conserve these traditions. Though this cultural impoverishment is reflected in overall deterioration of building skills and forms, the mosques and shrines have exceedingly been victims of this onslaught and vandalism.'' The statement said the ethereal and spiritual atmosphere that these monuments of faith carry within their walls could still be felt in the shrines of Shah-i-Hamadan Mir Syed Ali Hamadani, Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi, Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Geelani and other places of worship, which were still, by and large, left untouched and intact.

The demolition of these structures was carried out either because of deterioration or for creating additional space for worship.

The conservation architects of INTACH have found out that in most of these structures, the two requirements could be fulfilled without demolition or tampering of their historical fabric, it added.

The statement said the collaborative project offers complete free technical advice along with estimates and drawings to the local management committees or wakf bodies responsible for the maintenance of these religious places.

The INTACH called upon the individuals and bodies concerned to approach the organisation for seeking expert assistance. Only those projects where a decision for renovation, expansion or rebuilding has been taken would be covered under the project, it added.

''It is better to preserve than repair, better to repair than restore, better to restore than reconstruct,'' the statement said.

UNI AG VD ND1754