UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards
Why in News?
Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2022 has been announced which included four winners from India.
Award-Winning Countries: What’s the Scenario?
- Global Performance:
- Thirteen projects from six countries that have been acknowledged for awards were:
- Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal and Thailand.
- Thirteen projects from six countries that have been acknowledged for awards were:
- India’s Performance:
- Award of Excellence: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
- Award of Distinction: Stepwells of Golconda, Hyderabad
- Award of Merit: Domakonda Fort, Telangana, and Byculla Station, Mumbai
- Significance of Heritage Sites:
- There is a nature and culture linkage that heritage sites demonstrate. They can address climate change with net-zero water requirements.
- The restoration of wells shows how conservation of heritage sites can have multiple objectives.
What is UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation?
- Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation programme has recognised the efforts of private individuals and organisations in restoring, conserving and transforming structures and buildings of heritage value in the region.
- It encourages other property owners to undertake conservation projects within their communities, either independently or by public-private partnerships.
- The awards give people a sense of pride and sense of ownership of their own heritage.
Note
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai:
- The museum is a part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai's world heritage property.
- It was established as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India in 1922.
- The museum is a part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai's world heritage property.
- Byculla Station, Mumbai:
- The station was built in 1853. The first train of the country passed through Byculla station almost one-and-a-half centuries ago. It has been restored to its original Gothic, heritage, architectural glory.
- Domakonda Fort, Telangana:
- The Domakonda Fort is private property and was built in the 18th century with an amalgam of styles including stucco work, arched pillars, flat ceiling, and a courtyard with a water garden pond.