Traditional, cultural festivals to be promoted at large scale
For first time, heritage census to be conducted in J&K
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 8: As several religious and historic monuments in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are battling for their existence and identity, the Government has issued directions for preparation of Action Plans under “Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage”, which has been approved by the Administrative Council headed by Lieutenant Governor recently.
Similar directions have also been issued in respect of “Scheme for Promotion of Traditional and Cultural Festivals” in order to preserve and promote such festivals which are part of composite culture in consultation with respective divisional and district administration and all the stakeholders.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in Jammu and Kashmir, each religious and historic monument is embodiment of a unique/mystical saga that takes them beyond the level of just mere architecture or a combination of bricks and walls to the spiritual and inner enlightenment levels.
“In spite of having such a strong significance, it is a sad reality that some of these religious and historic monuments are battling for their existence and identity as such it is important to protect and preserve this cultural and religious heritage for reasons ranging from education to historical, research to desire and to reinforce a sense of identity”, they further said.
In order to ensure their restoration, revival, preservation and maintenance, the Administrative Council headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in the month of July this year approved “Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in Jammu and Kashmir”.
“The objectives of the scheme are to identify the sacred places and heritage sites requiring intervention; to carry out their revival, restoration and renovation; to ensure protection and longevity of these places and to promote restoration wherever damage has occurred to these places”, sources further said.
Now, for the implementation of this scheme, the Government has constituted Executive Committee and District Level Coordination-cum-Implementation Committees. The Executive Committee is headed by Chief Secretary while as District Development Commissioner concerned is the head of the District Level Committee.
The District Level Committee will conduct the heritage census and survey of the shrines, temples and other religious and historic monuments for the first time in the J&K in coordination with the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums for their restoration, revival, preservation and maintenance. The committee will also ascertain need and necessity of revival/restoration and renovation of sacred religious assets and historic monuments and facilitate and coordinate such restoration, revival, preservation and maintenance work.
The committee will also prioritize and propose steps for protection and longevity of identified sacred and heritage structures and suggest steps for restoration wherever any damage has occurred and also formulate and finalize appropriation Action Plans for this purpose.
Restoring the original position of heritage structure or place, upgrading the infrastructure at these places of worship and heritage monuments and develop the land appurtenant to the sites and their surroundings in consultation with the stakeholders and submitting report of progress to the Executive Committee on quarterly basis are also the responsibilities of District Level Committees.
“The festivals at religious places being important part of cultural heritage of J&K and grand feature of its cultural glory are not only required to be preserved and promoted but more efforts are also required to be put in to enhance festive fervor in these festivals”, sources said, adding “in order to preserve these festivals as part of composite culture and to promote these festivals in J&K and outside the Union Territory, the Government has also launched Scheme for Promotion of Traditional and Cultural Festivals”.
“The Action Plans befitting the festivity and other immediate requirements will be sought from the Deputy Commissioners by the Divisional Commissioners keeping in view prominence of the festivals”, they said, adding “the proposals from the District Development Commissioners and recommended by the Divisional Level Committee will be forwarded to the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums for appropriate financial support”.
The festivals identified through the committees will not be deemed to be exhaustive and such festivals will also be included by the Department of Culture or on further recommendations of two Divisional Commissioners.
The Department of Culture will have an annual allocation to be determined in consultation with the Finance Department which will be released to the Divisional Commissioners through the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.
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