Projects and Core activities undertaken by INTACH J& K chapter in the last three years --- (2004 to 2006)

Reports and Documentation

• Cultural Resource Mapping, Listing of Srinagar City. 

• Conservation and Management Guidelines of Mughal    Gardens

• Conservation and Re-Use Plan for Durbar Hall of Poonch Qila 

• Heritage and Cultural Resource  proposal for Kargil

 
 (Management and conservation plan for Kargil and Balti Bazar; heritage village Samra).

• Research Report on Disaster Risk Management of Vernacular Heritage in Kashmir(Prepared for Research Centre For Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage,Ritsumeikan University (Rits-DMUCH), Kyoto, Japan 

• Buddhist Heritage in Kashmir; a report on Buddhist circuit

• Heritage Tourism Villages;

• Integrated Development Plan for Manasbal Lake;

• Detailed Project Report for Development of Bungus Valley;

• Detailed Project Report for Development of Gurez and Telail Valley; 

• Documentation and consultancy for restoration of Aali Masjid

 Cultural Resource Mapping of Srinagar City 

• INTACH undertook Cultural Resource Mapping-Listing of Srinagar City in 2004 in the area of 130 sq.m to document the historically rich architectural heritage of the city.  

The five volume report includes the following data:

• Geographical and political history of   Kashmir. 

• Evolution of Srinagar city and its settlement pattern.    

• Categorisation of the various architectural styles and typologies of the city.

• Pictorial representation of various architectural decorative details. 

• Detailed heritage map marked with listed heritage structures. 

• A total of 838 historic properties were listed which included buildings, natural sites and precincts. 

Conservation and Management guidelines for Mughal gardens

Kashmir is a repository of the largest number of Mughal Gardens in the subcontinent .These gardens still retain their original layout and setting, though human intervention and vicissitudes of time have resulted in distortions of their historic character.

• The Department of Floriculture, supported by State and Central Department of Tourism, commissioned INTACH to prepare strategies for their conservation and effective management.  

• INTACH prepared a comprehensive physical documentation for the three prominent Mughal gardens of Kashmir, i.e., Shalimar, Nishat and Acchabal gardens and developed their conservation and management strategies.

• These strategies are aimed at restoring these gardens as well as adapting them for their current use as public parks 

The scope of project included:

• Documentation – A detailed architectural and photographic survey and documentation. 

• Structural Appraisal and Analysis – Assessment of the physical condition of the built and landscaped fabric from field survey; 

• Condition Assessment – Survey and identification of problems and their causes; 

• Recommendations – Suggestions for the repair methodology and procedures of conservation. 

• Budgetary Estimates – Preparing a tentative estimate on the cost of restoration and repair works.  

Proposed Conservation and Reuse Plan for
Durbar Hall Building and Poonch Qila. 

• Poonch Qila is an important landmark of the historical Poonch city.  

• The Qila dates back to 16th century A. D. and had   witnessed various political upheavals of the region.

• A report on proposal for conservation of fort into heritage centre depicting the rich socio-cultural history of the region was prepared.  

• The state government plans to take up this proposal in a phased manner to restore the fort complex to its original architectural glory while also providing it with a new usage as heritage centre.      

PROPOSED BUDDHIST CIRCUIT AT PARIHASPURA AND HARWAN

• The project aims at conserving and focussing on the Buddhist Heritage in Kashmir. 

• Buddhism, according to ancient Buddhist sources was introduced in Kashmir during the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century B.C, after the conclusion of Buddhist council at Patliputra  

• The project envisages the development of tourist circuit of ancient Buddhist sites in Kashmir valley with following objectives;  

• To create awareness about the Buddhist influences on Kashmiri art and culture.

• To offer research fellowships dedicated to the study of Buddhism and its influence in Kashmir. 

• To develop an  interpretation  centre  depicting artefacts, posters, pictures etc related to Buddhist heritage in Kashmir;

• To develop a library at the Centre devoted to the study of the subject. 

PROPOSED TOURIST VILLAGES AT AKHINGAM, CHEHL, WATHORA, GOHAN, VASAKNAG AND WATLAB Etc.  

• The Department of Tourism assigned the preparation of project reports on development of tourist villages in Kashmir to INTACH, JK Chapter.

• These reports have been prepared with an objective to promote sustainable tourism in the less ventured areas of Kashmir by highlighting the region’s natural and cultural heritage.  

Conservation and Restoration Plan for Aali Masjid 

• Ali Masjid is a prominent historical and architectural landmark of Srinagar City.

• It was constructed by the Shahmiri King, Sultan     Hassan Shah in the 15th Century at Iddgah precinct.

• The building was burnt down during Afghan rule (18th Century) and was   rebuilt by the governor of Kashmir Abdullah Khan. The two storey mosque is a unique representation of the monumental religious architecture associated with Kashmir.

The conservation plan entails the following phases

PHASE I: (Complete)

• Preparation of drawings of the mosque.
• Condition and structural appraisal of the building.
• Restoration proposal for damaged portions within buildings.

PHASE II:

• Development proposals including landscaping and lighting of building.
• Restoration proposal for interiors of the building (decorative features etc).
• Provision for infrastructure facilities associated with the functional requirement of the mosque.