Muziris Heritage Project - Lessons - Bangalore Mirror
June 30, 2015, 6:30:00 PM
"The Muziris Heritage Project, which was hailed as the most remarkable historical reclamation project by The New York Times, is considered the largest heritage conservation project in India. The Government of Kerala, with the support of the Government of India, started the project in 2006 along with conservation consultant Benny Kuriakose to conserve the cultural assets and to promote sustainable development. MHP is set as an example in India for adopting an integrated approach to heritage conservation along with regional development.
The article in the Bangalore Mirror-Times of India, by Jayanthi Madhukar, features the Muziris Heritage Project and its conservation consultant, Benny Kuriakose, highlighting what Karnataka could learn from its neighbour.
When the government invited representatives of 17 countries for a joint UNESCO meeting in New Delhi, Benny Kuriakose was asked to do the presentation, as his perspective would be the best way to present Muziris to the outside world. A committee of ministers was appointed with seven key ministers. Meetings were conducted once every two months and decisions were taken there. With no other intermediary bodies, the implementation was swift.
The plan was for the government to conserve heritage buildings,provided the residents allowed at least a part of the building to be open for public viewing. In Muziris, the government is trying to show that conservation and development can go together."