Rajasthan may acquire havelis if owners ignore conservation

Jaipur, Feb 20 (UNI) Haveli owners in Rajasthan may have to give up their properties if they fail to conserve them.

The state government is planning an amendment soon in its Monument, Archaelogical sites and Antiquities Act of 1961 to protect the havelis of the state.

Till now, there is no provision in the Act which can compel the haveli owners to look after their properties, which are steadily getting dilapidated.

The havelis, especially in the Shekhawati region, are known for their frescoes, art and sculptures, especially the exquisite work on the windows, doors, walls of the havelis, which enrich the region with its typical Rajasthani feel.

The numerous frescos on the outer walls of these enchanting havelis in the Shekhawati, Nawalgarh region have lent the region the name 'Open Art Gallery'.

The state government will soon add a new provision to the Act directing the owners to conserve the havelis on their own. If they fail to do so, the state government will have the right to acquire the property and do the renovation work on its own, giving certain compensation to the owner. The state government is thus planning an amendment in the Act in this regard.

Art and culture department sources said the documentation work of these havelis is on right now which will record the present status, and the owners of the havelis.

The main aim behind the move is to save and protect these havelis which symbolise the regal bygone era of owners and their penchant for promoting local artisans.

The survey work has already begun in Shekhawati region comprising Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu districts. Fatehpur, Laxmangarh, Ramgarh, Nawalgarh, Pilani, Dundlod havelis are world famous, where a number of foreign tourists descend every year to seep in the Rajasthani ambience.

However, there are some sceptics, who say most haveli owners, who stay far away from their native place would be averse to the move, and would be unwilling over the acquisition of their properties.

Mr Hot Chand, director, conservation, Morarka Haveli Museum, Nawalgarh, told UNI there are no sole proprietors of these havelis and such acquisition by the government would not be an easy process.

Mr Chand added only a handful of owners are renovating an d pursuing the conservation work in their havelis. Like the M R Morarka Foundation is spending Rs six lakh per year on conservation work on their 105-year-old haveli, which will take at least five years to complete.

Apart from Morarkas, Sheksarias and Poddars are also carrying on renovation work in their havelis.

The government is trying to conserve and preserve the state's historical heritage, culture and tradition by renovating the havelis. This process is likely to boost tourism in the state as Shekhawati region alone attracts about 700 foreign tourists annually.

UNI