Indian Heritage Conservation Projects Win UNESCO Awards 2024
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | Two Indian heritage conservation projects won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2024. |
| Award Announcement | The awards were announced on 6 December 2024 by UNESCO at its regional office in Bangkok, Thailand. |
| Award Categories | - Award of Distinction for Abathsahayeswarar Temple Conservation Project, Tamil Nadu.- Award of Merit for BJPCI Conservation Project, Mumbai. |
| Abathsahayeswarar Temple Conservation Project | - Location: Thukkatchi, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.- Significance: A 7th-century temple dedicated to Lord Dakshinamurthy (Shiva), mentioned in Tamil Saivite text 'Thevaram'.- Achievement: Structural conservation blending modern engineering and traditional sthapathi expertise. |
| BJPCI Conservation Project | - Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra.- Significance: A Gothic-style school building built in 1908 to promote education among the economically weaker sections.- Achievement: Restoration completed during the school's summer break, preserving its architectural integrity while ensuring modern usability. |
| UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards | - Established: 2000.- Objective: Recognizes efforts to restore and conserve heritage sites.- Evaluation Criteria: Understanding of place, technical achievements, sustainability, and impact.- Award Categories: Excellence, Distinction, Merit, Sustainable Development, New Design in Heritage Contexts. |
| 2024 Winners | - Award of Excellence: Inari-yu Bathhouse Restoration Project, Tokyo, Japan.- Award of Distinction: Abathsahayeswarar Temple (India), Gunan Street Historic Block (China).- Award of Merit: BJPCI (India), Guanyin Hall Teahouse (China), Helou Pavilion (China), Observatory Tower (New Zealand).- Special Recognition for Sustainable Development: Gunan Street Historic Block (China), Helou Pavilion (China).- Award for New Design: Rabindhorn Building, Bangkok, Thailand. |