Heritage conservation is no small task. Balancing development with conservation is important,said the newly appointed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations Heritage Conservation Committee chief V Ranganathan. Ranganathan,who is also Maharashtras State Convener for the Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage,Mumbai,said he has an obligation to preserve its 588 heritage structures to pass them on for posterity. We need to train sufficient number of craftsmen,engineers,architects and other specialists on repairing and conserving heritage structures, said the former Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai. Recognising the growing number of youth groups taking interest in the citys heritage,he said,We will definitely tap into the initiative. We must first create awareness. When people are aware of their surroundings,only then will they have the desire to conserve them. Apart from his duties in the city conservation committee and at INTACH,he is also chairing a Matheran committee for the second time. This panel was responsible for the regions demarcation as an eco-sensitive zone in 2003. In Maharashtra,heritage committees cannot be restricted to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region only,said Ranganathan,adding that a survey and conservation effort must be directed towards the various forts and other heritage structures that are near Mumbai. Acknowledging the widely held view that conservation efforts in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are especially focused on South Mumbai,he said,We will take up the matter and ensure all structures receive attention. It must be noted that some of these structures fall within the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India. A year has passed since the last BMC Heritage panels term expired. Ranganathan said,First we will start clearing all pending proposals. We also will discuss possible incentives that can be given to owners of private heritage structures.
