Heritage panel chief says a politician or two on board well help conservation cause

“Many heritage conservationists feel that involving politicians and political parties will draw attention away from the primary cause of the movement. However,I feel that public figures should be involved. Through their involvement,they can be sensitised to the need for preserving heritage and educated on the challenges of balancing this with development demands,” Ranganathan said.

“Rather than excluding them from the various committees of the state and central government for protecting heritage,I feel,if one or two politicians are included,it will strengthen the effort as they represent the support of the masses. I know many may not agree with this statement,” he added.

Over the past one year,since the new MHCC was formed in July,politicians have clashed with heritage conservationists on various occasions since the newly proposed heritage list of 948 structures was published by BMC on July 31,2012.

Most famous among these has been the categorisation of Shivaji Park precinct,which surrounds the Grade-I listed Shivaji Park,as a heritage precinct. Rival factions Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) even joined hands to oppose the heritage tag for the Marathi-populated area that has long been recognised as a bastion for political supremacy.

During the budget discussions of BMC in September,2012,municipal councillors across the political spectrum rose in opposition to various buildings,and precincts that feature in the new heritage list.

In the 40 hours of discussions that spanned over 10 days,109 of the 227 corporators spoke on this issue. Over 70 per cent of them protested the inclusion of a number of proposed privately-owned heritage structures in their precincts. This included standing committee chairperson Rahul Shewale,Shiv Sena leader Yashodhar Phanse,MNS leader Dilip Lande,Congress leader Dnyanraj Nikam,senior Congress corporator Pravin Chheda,BJP leader Dilip Patel,among others.

Corporators,echoing the concerns of citizens and builders’ lobby,complained that the list prevented owners from their right to a profitable redevelopment of structures that were already past their life-expectancy.

At that time,the corporation said all objections can be raised during public hearings. However,more than a year has passed now. The hearings are yet to be held.

Ranganathan emphasised striking a balance between ‘development,enjoying individual property rights and preserving heritage to prevent future generations from losing their history’.

“The heritage conservation movement began recently. It started in Mumbai before any other city. So it will take some time to change mindset of the people and work towards its protection,” he said.