Srinagar, April 09: Old houses and buildings in Srinagar city make it a unique and interesting place to live. Many tourists, both foreign and domestic, book their Kashmir journey only to visit these. These buildings are an integral part of our heritage.
However, most of these buildings are fast disappearing from Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. Observers note that if the demolition and non-professional restoration of these buildings goes on unabated, the valley will steadily lose its cultural heritage.
Historians and cultural activists say that every year one or two privately owned heritage buildings are demolished in Srinagar.
M. Saleem Beg, Convener of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) J&K said the organization had identified over 700 buildings in Srinagar alone which have been listed as heritage structures and need immediate restoration.
“Of 700 heritage houses and buildings, nearly 100 belong to the government. The remaining are private houses and other properties,” Beg told Rising Kashmir.
“We have proposed identification and restoration of these structures,” he said.
The organisation, which specialises in heritage conservation, preservation and restoration, has been reaching out to private heritage property owners in J&K for the last ten years.
Beg sees hope in the New Industrial Policy announced for J&K.
He said the Union government has introduced a special grant to restore private heritage properties for commercial use which is a historic step.
“We appeal to all such owners to come forward and list their properties for conservation,” he said.
Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India notified a new central scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu and Kashmir with an outlay of nearly Rs 30,000 crores. Under this scheme, a substan¬tial financial outlay has also been notified for the restoration and reuse of heritage properties.
Beg said the scheme offers incentives on offer include capital investment incentives, capital interest subvention incentives, and GST-linked incentives.
“The property with an investment of up to Rs 50 crore will be eligible to avail of this incentive that includes 30 per cent capital investment subsidy, 100 per cent GST subvention for 10 years and 5 per cent interest subsidy,” he said.
As per clause 6 of the notification, the heritage property not in use before April 1, 2021, is restored thereafter for commercial/ hospitality or tourism services on a commercial basis will also be considered as a new unit as per the eligibility conditions that Heritage property under the scheme shall include those recognized/ defined monuments notified under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), monuments notified by the State Government under Ancient Monuments Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2010, heritage sites notified under The Jammu and Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act, 2010, heritage monuments listed by recognized agencies such as UNESCO, IN¬TACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) etc.
“The restoration/conservation/preservation should have been done based on a conservation plan prepared/vetted by INTACH, J&K or a qualified conservation body duly notified by the UT.
Zone A and Zone B for this scheme as defined by UT Govt. of J&K shall be as per the maximum limit of incentive is Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in Zone A and Zone B, respectively, said the notification.
“However, the success of the scheme lies in its implementation in a hassle-free manner as also in ensuring its outreach and participation of the owners and entrepreneurs,” Beg said.
The INTACH Convenor said the organisation would impart all necessary support to government and local property holders including training programmes for contractors, masons and engineers in working with heritage material.
