Chennai: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has come forward to assist the state government in preserving age old temples in the state.
In a letter submitted before the First Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R. Mahadevan, when suo motu writ petitions came up for hearing, the organisation said it would involve itself in the conservation work provided expenses for the project and for experts are met by government.
The Unesco has also recommended for reconciling with principle of Agama Sastra and international conservation standards, thereby develop a clear guideline for conservation practitioners, prepare graded-inventory of temples based on heritage values and comprehensive conservation and management plan for key heritage temples.
As for tentative grant of world heritage status for Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam and Chettinad village clusters in April 2014, Unesco said grant of status relied on its outstanding universal value and on “availability of institutional and legal framework to ensure the conservation of the site as per the international norm.”
The bench said review must be conducted regarding current standards and procedure for conservation of not only temples but also heritage in general.
The court has directed HR&CE department to consider Unesco’s suggestions, hold further discussions and file a status report explaining the progress made and time schedule to complete the works.
With regard to Mahabalipuram Monument Areas, the Bench perused reports of ASI stating that large areas have been encroached blocking the view of monuments. The Bench directed the Kancheepuram Collector to file a compliance report after addressing the complaints.
