Heritage conservation calls for a passion

Conservation of a structure is not limited to protecting it from man-made calamities, was the opinion of experts on the second day of the international symposium on heritage management. According to them, academic courses for conservation and preservation of heritage must cover procedures that call for passionate participation from students or future heritage managers.

The Centre for Heritage Management (CHM), Ahmedabad University (AU), in association with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), has organised a three-day international symposium on heritage management, 'Asmit Samvad - A Dialogue on Heritage and Identity', which began on World Heritage Day on Wednesday.

Day two of the symposium had experts discussing the need to detail out heritage conservation procedures and not restrict them to preservation. According to Mihir Bhatt, founder director of All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), "Conservation should also be seen as reducing risks and not just preserving heritage. Unsafe conditions have sprung up in existing heritage cities and sites across India in last 10 years."

Noted painter, art historian and museum director, Dr Ratan Parimoo said that he did not have the exact figures to elaborate on dearth of art historians. He added that he was also unaware of whether history of art - as formulated in his times - is currently being taught or not. "I haven't come across any new names or books on history of art. Possibly, there is lack or commitment and passion for the same," Parimoo said.