Yudhishthira says in Mahabharata, “Each day death strikes, and yet we live as though we were immortal”. Varanasi, the most favorite resting place of the dead, its old heritage is itself facing death everyday due to the neglect of the authorities for the conservation and maintenance and yet full of life, this city stands tall on the western banks of river Ganga.
Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is considered as the oldest living cities of the world. The city of Shiva is famous for the grandeur of its breathtaking Ghats and century old temples. There are about 2000 temples in the core area of Varanasi around the Ghat area, it is said every house has a temple.But the sorry state of Ghats and temples is seen today as they face the neglect and lack of maintenance and conservation.
Due to various reasons, like increasing urbanisation, entry of automobiles into old towns, change of land use, negligence on the part of public and the government to protect built heritage etc., the development is eating up into the old part of the city and the character of heritage cities is rapidly being destroyed by human interference. Varanasi is no exception. Heritage zone is identified as an area of special architectural or historic interest and character which it is desirable to preserve or conserve.(1)
Varanasi development authority is working on the nomination proposal for inscription of several heritage zones of Varanasi in the UNESCO world heritage list. Heritage zone of Varanasi: Narrow lanes characterize the old city of Varanasi and its rich architectural legacy fascinates the travelers into the religious and cultural medley that forms an integral part of Varanasi’s tradition. Several old temples and Havelis still adorn the built fabric. The area comprising of the Ghats, the temples and the old city has been identified as a Cultural Heritage zone. Conservation of heritage zones can be undertaken in terms of the Heritage Zone concept propagated by INTACH. Various charters like Washington charter, 1987; Indian charter 2004 has provided guidelines for designating the heritage zone. Due to the awareness among the people and local authority emphasis has been given to heritage zone in master plans e.g Kuala Lumpur Master Plan.
Issues:
The problems of every old city in India are same, changing fabric of place, traffic problem, overpopulation, encroachments, infrastructure, collapsing structures, lack of facilities, etc. The changing face of the Ghats, stairs made of new bricks, materials, painted in utterly different hues and textures, graffiti spoil the façade of the Ghats. Change of land use is common, many residential units have been converted to commercial uses like hotels, guest houses, shops etc., and the construction of new structures spoils the original fabric of the Ghats. The Manikarnika Ghat is the most famous as well as one of the filthiest parts of the Ghats, people, drink, bathe, wash in the same water where the corpses and the remains of the cremated bodies are disposed. One man’s death opens a doorway to his next circle of life but It is believed that if the deceased are cremated here this circle of life ends and Moksha is attained.Entrance of the once restricted Manikarnika Ghat, advertisements painted on the old structures can be seen almost all over the Ghat area. The old streets, losing the originality are transformed into shopping streets to lure the tourists. The little available open spaces within the core have been encroached by hawkers. Absence of long term strategy for heritage conservation is an issue. Private ownership of many heritage structures leads to commercialization and changing land use. Lack of initiatives for high end conservation and lack of private sector investment is an issue. Deteriorating environmental quality in old areas, squatter settlements along the river is a rising issue. Physical urban growth is constrained by river Ganga, thus congestion takes place. Ribbon development along the river Ganga causes the changing land use.
Strategies:
Heritage conservation efforts have been strengthened in the last ten years in the city. The community and the authorities have recognized some of the most important values that heritage represents, especially historic, artistic, social and economic ones. Creating a nodal institution for heritage conservation and creating database of cultural heritage of Varanasi will result in a much defined conservation awareness. Provisions for the government should be made to intervene in respect of heritage conservation on private properties. Involvement of private sector in conservation schemes, Public Participation for Conservation awareness and strict enforcement of development.
(1 According to the Washington charter, 1987)
