JIT KUMAR GUPTA’s Post

·      UNESCO’s declaration concerning the intentional destruction of cultural heritage (2003), explains that, ‘Heritage is an important component of the cultural identity of communities, groups, and individuals, and ... its intentional destruction may have adverse consequences, not just related to buildings and the physical landscape, but also to members of a community and their traditions and values. Heritage and its management remain a multi-tasking activity involving large number of stakeholders and cannot be performed in isolation. In the past, heritage management was considered and seen as the exclusive responsibility of the parastatal agencies to the exclusion of other stakeholders, which has, invariably and perpetually, led to emergence of numerous problems and road-blocks in effectively managing and preserving the valuable heritage. Looking at the entire context and gamut of managing the heritage; effective heritage conservation strategy must be made participatory and should revolve around and involve active participation of local communities on all issues related to planning, development, implementation and management of heritage. Ignoring communities/ public participation has been the root-cause of damage and destruction caused to majority of valuable built heritage existing in India. Effective and active participation of communities has yielded dividends in ensuring control over allocation of project resources and for implementing project activities; periodic monitoring and evaluation of project activities making both the government and the citizens accepting responsibilities and performing activities related to heritage ; valuing each group's contribution; inclusion of community's representatives as "partners" in decision-making; making success of the citizen's participation; making heritage conservation people centric; optimizing available resources of both government and communities; safeguarding the valuable heritage; making value addition to available heritage; identifying new heritage and disseminating the idea of heritage conservation at the local level.

·      UNESCO’s declaration concerning the intentional destruction of cultural heritage (2003), explains that, ‘Heritage is an important component of the cultural identity of communities, groups, and individuals, and ... its intentional destruction may have adverse consequences, not just related to buildings and the physical landscape, but also to members of a community and their traditions and values. Heritage and its management remain a multi-tasking activity involving large number of stakeholders and cannot be performed in isolation. In the past, heritage management was considered and seen as the exclusive responsibility of the parastatal agencies to the exclusion of other stakeholders, which has, invariably and perpetually, led to emergence of numerous problems and road-blocks in effectively managing and preserving the valuable heritage. Looking at the entire context and gamut of managing the heritage; effective heritage conservation strategy must be made participatory and should revolve around and involve active participation of local communities on all issues related to planning, development, implementation and management of heritage. Ignoring communities/ public participation has been the root-cause of damage and destruction caused to majority of valuable built heritage existing in India. Effective and active participation of communities has yielded dividends in ensuring control over allocation of project resources and for implementing project activities; periodic monitoring and evaluation of project activities making both the government and the citizens accepting responsibilities and performing activities related to heritage ; valuing each group's contribution; inclusion of community's representatives as "partners" in decision-making; making success of the citizen's participation; making heritage conservation people centric; optimizing available resources of both government and communities; safeguarding the valuable heritage; making value addition to available heritage; identifying new heritage and disseminating the idea of heritage conservation at the local level.

Is UNESCO an apparatus of national image enhancement through long listings and coronation of titles or a mechanism for cultural heritage safeguarding? Finding a balance between national priorities and a genuine depoliticised approach to cultural heritage is an ongoing challenge. It is about time to rethink the way we manage and valorize cultural heritage, which is about shared values and a sense of community. When we will put those values at the center of cultural heritage management, and not the national pride and priorities, we might be able to bring a change for the better.

*What even is heritage?* Recently, I completed the Open University's short course on "What is Heritage?" and provoked some interesting insights and challenging questions about the concept of heritage. I bring these thoughts and insights to every project I work on. Heritage is multifaceted, encompassing objects, places, and practices that connect us to our past. It's crafts. It's skills. It's music. It's the stories we tell about people and places. It's magic and mysticism. It's not just about preserving buildings or landscapes but also about maintaining languages, traditions, and community memories. Heritage can be cultural or natural, official or unofficial, and its value often depends on who is defining it. It's a tangle. Each person interprets them differently, views them through a different filter, based on their own experiences and values. My Big Heritage Questions: ❓ Who decides what constitutes heritage, and what biases influence these decisions? And what impacts what 'slice' of history we are celebrating and highlighting? ❓ How does the commercialisation of heritage impact its authenticity and meaning for local communities? ❓ How do heritage choices reflect and shape our collective memory and identity? Reflecting on these points, I'm curious about your perspectives: ☞ How do you think heritage should be defined and preserved? ☞ What role do you believe local communities should play in heritage conservation? ☞ Have you encountered conflicts between official heritage bodies and local perceptions of heritage? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this topic! #Heritage #CulturalHeritage #HeritageMarketing

What's better - heritage modified or heritage pristine? A winter walk this week provoked some thoughts on whether modifying places of natural and cultural heritage is preferred...or necessary. Check it out if you are interested in #heritage, a topic I think is actually quite relevant far beyond the traditional cultural and natural heritage industries. (Work for a company that's been around for a long time? A heritage perspective might be a useful lens in strategic development...) https://lnkd.in/eaB5Tqku

439 World Heritage Sites have not been monitored for over 10 years The number of new inscriptions on the World Heritage List must be drastically reduced UNESCO is no longer able to monitor a large number of sites on the World Heritage List and thus fulfill one of its statutory tasks. This alarming statement was made yesterday by World Heritage Watch at this year's session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.   According to data compiled by the organization in April, there has been no information on the UNESCO website for 439 of the 1,223 World Heritage sites for over ten years. At best, UNESCO may have received informal information that has not been published.   Presently, the World Heritage Committee examines the state of conservation of around 10% of all World Heritage sites every year. Since many sites are on the agenda every year or every second year, it would take more than 18 years to examine all the sites on the World Heritage List.   At the same time, UNESCO has again inscribed 24 new sites on the World Heritage List this year. With this rate of new inscriptions, it will be even more difficult for UNESCO to monitor the sites entrusted to its tutelage. World Heritage Watch is therefore calling on the member states of the World Heritage Convention to drastically reduce the number of new inscriptions and to prioritize the conservation of sites already on the list. “Will the 24 newly inscribed sites join the long list of unmonitored sites?” asks Stephan Doempke, who represents World Heritage Watch at the World Heritage Committee meeting. “And how much sense does it make to include a site on the World Heritage List if it has little chance of being monitored?” See the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/dZ9N7My3  

🗓 28.06.2024, 14.30h 🌐 #webinar Preserving the Past: Strategies for #Heritage in #Crisis 👉 Anmeldungen/inscriptions: https://lnkd.in/eGyxG92t #Notfall #Museum #musee #conservation #plandurgence #HeritageProtection

#NewArticle Assessing the performance of urban heritage conservation projects – influencing factors, aspects and priority weights Sunena Abdul Huq & Bimal Puthuvayi  At present, the performance of any conservation project is solely vested in conserving the built fabric. Evaluation tools for urban heritage conservation projects do not have provisions for measuring the subjective value of stakeholders who are part of the heritage setting. This study tries to identify and prioritise the factors that need to be considered when developing a conservation project performance assessment model for an urban heritage conservation project from the perspective of experts that can be further evaluated from the perspective of stakeholders. As these complex systems can be better viewed in the context of developing countries, the case of India is adopted. The results show that the cultural aspect was the most important aspect, followed by the continuity aspect. The social and physical aspects were prioritised similarly, followed by the economic and political aspects. This study is distinctive because it identifies the influential factors that can help develop a conservation project performance assessment model for an urban heritage conservation project. https://lnkd.in/ebYnDgbe

*#Africa Heritage* Embracing my African heritage at Mana Pools holds profound significance as it connects me to my roots, culture, and ancestors. African heritage symbolizes resilience, unity, diversity, and a rich history that shapes my identity and worldview." *History of African Heritage sites* African heritage is a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and traditions, originating from ancient civilizations like Egypt, Nubia, and Kush.Preserving African heritage is vital for maintaining cultural identity, promoting unity, and fostering understanding. *Attributes and Values of Mana Pools* Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Zimbabwe, possesses remarkable attributes and values. Its diverse flora and fauna, including large mammal populations, create an outstanding natural habitat. The Zambezi River, with its numerous pools, supports abundant wildlife during the dry season. The site offers exceptional game viewing opportunities, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Mana Pools also contains archaeological sites, reflecting human occupation for centuries. The harmony between nature and culture highlights the importance of protecting such unique ecosystems. *Importance of Heritage Conservation* Heritage conservation preserves the world's diverse cultural and natural heritage for future generations. Conserving heritage sites contributes to local economies through tourism and creates opportunities for education and research. Safeguarding heritage fosters a sense of identity, promotes diversity, and encourages respect for different cultures and traditions. Ultimately, heritage conservation is essential for maintaining a balanced and sustainable world. *OUVs and Attributes:* OUVs (Outstanding Universal Values) are the key elements that make a heritage site exceptional and globally significant. Attributes are the physical components that demonstrate the site's OUV, making it worthy of protection and preservation. **Attributes and OUVs of Mana Pools Heritage* Mana Pools' OUV includes its remarkable natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and evidence of human interaction with the environment. Its attributes include the Zambezi River, diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and archaeological sites.The site's exceptional natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural significance make it an outstanding example of a world heritage site. *Heritage Sites Challenges* Heritage sites face various challenges, including environmental threats, urbanization, tourism pressure, and inadequate funding. Climate change, natural disasters, and human-induced hazards pose significant risks to cultural and natural heritage. Inadequate management, looting, and vandalism exacerbate these challenges, highlighting the need for increased protection, sustainable tourism practices, and community involvement. Balancing conservation and development is crucial for safeguarding heritage sites and promoting their long-term survival.

Have you ever wondered how many cultural and natural landmarks are deemed so crucial that they need to be preserved for future generations? The UNESCO World Heritage List includes over 1,100 sites around the globe. These are places of outstanding universal value to humanity, ranging from ancient ruins and architectural masterpieces to nature reserves and biospheres.