Sustainable Tourism Development Plan, Nirmand, H.P.(Preliminary)

Nirmand is a small village located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 1450m above sea level in the Sutlej valley. Nirmand has also been referred to as ‘Harappan survivor’ by many historians. Given the significance and potential of the village, A.H took an initiative to prepare an integrated and holistic sustainable development plan for Nirmand before it is threatened by development pressure as already witnessed in the peripheral area. It is also proposed to revive traditional arts and crafts like wood carving, stone carving etc which are almost extinct.

Conserving Vernacular Built Heritage of Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters of India

This is a collaborative initiative of CCH and AH Divisions towards preparation of the World Heritage Serial Nomination Dossier. This is a pan-India series on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites of India. The focus is on the vernacular built heritage and the theme of traditional saree weaving is the thread of continuity in the entire series. It broadly seeks to identify surviving vernacular weaver homes with active traditional weaving.
Base work which includes detailed inventorization and mapping of community to understand the long-lasting relationship between the craft and architecture. The study is also a medium to voice the concerns and plight of the traditional weaver in the competitive world of powerlooms and changing aspirations of dwelling. Thus the overarching principle is to devise initiatives for benefits and awareness of weaver communities in the selected clusters, along with undertaking dossier background work and preparation.

State of Built Heritage of India – Case of the unprotected (SoBHI)

SoBHI focuses on unprotected built heritage and is structured state-wise, covering information from various primary and secondary sources. These are followed by ten thematic sections examining our built heritage through their respective lens. An integral part of SoBHI, the Heritage at Risk Register is intended as an ongoing database bringing cases to light, in the hope of assistance. The aim is to substantiate data making a considerable difference to the state of built heritage of India. A step in the direction to induce positive change in the plight of unprotected built heritage.

On 8th May 2015 a consultative workshop was held with primary study consultants and advisors from the various regions. Perspectives and experiences of professionals resulted in an effective session with valuable inputs and presentations. This ended with a set of prolific recommendations besides debating on systematic methodology.

Recommendations deduced from SoBHI volume have prompted actions being initialized. One such task, Mission Municipalika has been initiated as a recommendation from the SoBHI report. The objective is to commence notification process for built heritage in selected cities in the country.

Conservation and Up-gradation of Heritage Buildings of Govt. Medical College, Amritsar

Government Medical College was first established in Lahore in 1864 and continued to work in the capital city of undivided Punjab till its subsequent relocation to Amritsar in 1920. Punjab Heritage and tourism promotion board approached A.H for the conservation and up-gradation of eight such heritage buildings which are particularly deteriorated and needed urgent attention. A.H has commenced documentation, condition mapping and structural analysis. A comprehensive plan for the restoration work and detailed proposal for re- use of abandoned structures are proposed.

Conservation of Krishna Temple, Gorkhi

In 1882, around sixty nine temples were established by Maharaja Jayajirao Scindia throughout Gwalior. Krishna temple at Gorkhi, with a grand entrance gateway was one among them. A.H was approached by the Scindia Devasthan Trust in March 2015, for the conservation of the temple. The work was divided into two phases 1.waterproofing of the terrace and 2. restoration of the temple building and entrance gate. Phase I was completed and Phase II is presently on-going, which includes cleaning of facade, stone members, repair of missing/ damaged architectural elements, provision of boundary wall and plinth protection.

Restoration and Conservation of Facade and Corridors of the main School Building and the Shivaji House, Scindia School, Gwalior

The Scindia School at the Gwalior Fort, a residential school for boys was founded in 1897 by late Maharaja Madhavrao Jayaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior. Over the past few years, the rear and side arcades and colonnades were covered and converted into classrooms. Blackening of stone facades has also been a major concern along with damaged stone elements.
A.H, in January 2015, prepared a proposal to restore the façade and corridors of the Main School building and the on-site work commenced in July 2015. A.H is also undertaking restoration of the Shivaji house, originally a British barrack covered into hostel that presently accommodates about 50 students.

Heritage Rescue Initiative in Gaya

INTACH has taken the initiative to undertake emergency repair works of the structures and cleaning of the Temple and Baradari along Dev Ghat, Gaya, to enable accessibility and proper documentation of the site followed by masonry consolidation of the vulnerable components. The site cleaning work is ongoing at present. It needs further assistance of funds to rescue and restore the heritage site.

Scindia School, Gwalior

The Scindia School at Gwalior Fort is a residential school for boys founded in 1897 by the late Maharaja Madhavrao Jayaji Rao Scindia. The architecture of the School is contemporary to the British Barracks of the colonial era. The work entails the restoration and conservation of the façade and the corridors of the main school building. There are many heritage buildings in the school campus but AHD started work on a proposal for restoring the work assigned on the Main School Building. The semi-circular arches of the façade are typical of the colonial style which protect the classrooms from the heat and the rains. Due to several interventions over the past few years, the rear and side corridors of the building were covered and converted into classrooms. In the corridors, the traditional lime plaster was found to be replaced with cement plaster. On the façade, blackening of stone has been a major concern and a some stones elements were found to be broken and missing. The work on site commenced in July this year. The closed corridors are being opened up and re-plastered with lime mortar, to regain the original architecture of the building. Simultaneously, work on cleaning of front façade has also started. AHD aims to bring the building back to its original beauty

Restoration Of Heritage Buildings At Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Iari)

The INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IARI) is India’s premier Institute for agricultural research and education. Five heritage buildings in the IARI campus identified to be taken up for conservation in the first phase are the Library, Phipps laboratory, Division of Genetics, Division of Entomology and Division of Agronomy. The buildings are being used for the purpose they were designed for.

INTACH’s primary concern is to restore the original architectural and functional character of the buildings. Work identified includes restoration of blocked corridors & intervened spaces, maintenance of services & infrastructure and rectifying structural deterioration

Victoria Market, Gwalior

Victoria market was built in 1910 in honour of Queen Victoria. The building celebrated its 100 years of existence in 2010, but unfortunately, in the same year on 5th June 2010 a major fire broke out leading to the current dilapidated state.
The building is an amalgamation of Mughal, Rajput and Colonial styles rectangular in plan with a central arched opening flanked by three bays of arcades on either side. A.H was invited by the Municipal Corporation, Gwalior to prepare a restoration proposal and supervise restoration work that commenced in March 2015.