NITI Aayog is developing a roadmap to make India's built heritage self-sustainable, aiming to reposition these assets as catalysts for economic growth. The initiative involves assessing and categorizing heritage assets and analyzing their socio-economic potential within conservation frameworks. This aligns with NITI Aayog's broader efforts to understand the challenges in heritage management and provide a future direction for branding India's archaeological and built heritage.
Key Components of the Roadmap
The roadmap will likely include several key components:
Assessment and Categorization: A comprehensive study to document and categorize India's built heritage assets is essential. This will involve identifying the types of heritage structures, their current condition, and their potential for economic utilization. An initial survey suggests there are over 400,000 heritage structures in India, including centrally and state-protected monuments, religious trust buildings, historic cities, and archaeological sites.
Socio-Economic Potential Analysis: The study will analyze the socio-economic potential of these heritage assets, considering their role in tourism, employment generation, and local development. Heritage tourism can generate income and employment, especially in areas where other economic opportunities are limited.
Conservation Frameworks: The roadmap will emphasize conservation frameworks to ensure that the economic utilization of built heritage does not compromise its historical and cultural value. This involves balancing development with preservation to maintain the integrity of these sites for future generations.
National Database: Creating a national database of archaeological sites is a key action point. This database will facilitate better management, promotion, and accessibility of heritage sites. The database could also incorporate technologies like photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning.
Revenue Generation Models: The roadmap is expected to adopt revenue generation models through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Professional and focused marketing will also be essential.
Broader Context and Related Initiatives
This initiative builds upon previous efforts by NITI Aayog to improve heritage management in India. A 2020 report by NITI Aayog outlined an action plan for better management of heritage monuments, emphasizing the need for a unified vision, increased funding, and improved management practices. The report suggested restructuring the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), creating a national database, and promoting heritage tourism.
The NITI Aayog's efforts also align with other government initiatives, such as the National Heritage City Development & Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY). HRIDAY, launched in 2015, aims to rejuvenate heritage cities with a focus on sanitation, tourism, and livelihood.
Challenges and Considerations
Several challenges need to be addressed to ensure the success of this roadmap:
Expected Outcomes
The NITI Aayog's roadmap is expected to unlock the potential of India's built heritage, contributing to economic growth, employment generation, and the preservation of cultural identity. By leveraging heritage assets for tourism and local development, the initiative aims to make these sites self-sustainable and ensure their conservation for future generations.
