Plans for Champaner

CHAMPANER, Nov 1: Today children play cricket where once imperial troops marched. Scarcely an hour's drive from Vadodara, Champaner, is o...

CHAMPANER, Nov 1: Today children play cricket where once imperial troops marched. Scarcely an hour8217;s drive from Vadodara, Champaner, is one of the few places in the world that has seen continuous habitation since pre-historic times. Its quiet surroundings hide remarkable tales, of which the 60-odd monuments 8212; mosques, temples, battlements 8212; are mute witnesses.

In recognition of its architectural richness, the World Monument Watch Fund, a New York-based organisation, has designated Champaner as an endangered world heritage site8217; for the year 2000.

A non-governmental organisation Heritage Trust8217; had organised a meeting on Monday, to chalk out an integrated conservation plan for Champaner.

Speaking at the meeting, Ashish Banerjee, Secretary of INTACH, the Indian National Trust of Art, Culture and Heritage, said 8220;monuments are history8217;s gift to us, which must be restored and presented to the people, to enable them to understand their heritage better.8221;

Stressing the need for an interpretation center to make the archaeological sites comprehensible to the common man, Banerjee exhorted all related bodies 8212; government and non-governmental 8212; to work together for effective conservation. Nainesh Pandya, the deputy sarpanch of Champaner, spoke on the proliferation of cabins and larris in the town. All these structures are illegal, he said. 8220;We didn8217;t sign the papers for giving them light and water, but they pay for these things and get them8221;, he claimed. The local people view the construction work as developmental activity even though they live in fear that the ASI 8212; who had ordered a blanket ban on all construction and repair work in Champaner 8212; may eventually ask them to vacate the town, said Pandya.

Setting those fears to rest, conservationist Nalini Thakur said that a holistic approach towards conservation was essential. The local community, which had learnt to make a living from the Kalikamata Temple without resorting to extensive agriculture or industry, needed to be included in the conservation plan, she said. Speaking on behalf of the World Monument Watch Fund, Amita Baig identified buildings and projects for which restoration funds could be sanctioned, in consultation with ASI. Ashish Banerjee revealed that the World Monument Fund had sanctioned US 100,000 for conservation in Jaisalmer, which has also been designated a world heritage site. The amount to be given to Champaner is still being decided though it is expected to be in the same range8221;, said Karan Grover of the Heritage Trust.

Finally, it was decided that the Champaner Festival would be revived in collaboration with INTACH and the Department of Culture, Gujarat. The ASI and Heritage Trust will decide the site for the festival.

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Gujarat State Tourism department has already announced a plan to train guides for Champaner. For Champaner, the good news is that the government has shut down 40 quarries which used to spread destruction in this archeological treasure grove. The in8217; thing is eco-heritage tourism and the declaration holding Champaner a heritage zone.

If inter-departmental rivalries will not raise its ugly head, these renovations will prove a real boon for the town and its residents.