51 heritage sites identified for preservation in state: CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 28 2013: Underlining the need to encourage use of various technologies for the conservation, restoration, preservation and maintenance of our monumental heritage, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today informed that so far 51 sites have been identified for the purpose under Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archealogical Sites and Remains, 1976 and Rules , 1979 .

Speaking at the inaugural function of a training programme for capacity building amongst the heritage managers of North eastern region at the auditorium of MFDC here today, Ibobi explained that heritage refers to that which has been inherited from the past.

In our country, the Archaeological Survey of India, State Archaeology Department of different states, other various Govt.agencies, Museums etc are actively involved in the protection, preservation, and maintenance and promoting of our cultural heritage.

Our rich cultural heritage belonging to different periods of the long history in the form of ancient monumental edifices comprising of palaces, forts, stupas, monasteries, rock-cut caves, sculpture, cave paintings, terracotta objects, coins, epigraphs, metallic and wooden objects etc.

are the important sources of information for the reconstruction of history of the area.

51 heritage sites identified for preservation in state: CM

Preservation, protection and maintenance of these cultural heritages retained the historical importance, aesthetic value and socio-religious significance and is of utmost importance in managing the cultural wealth.

The training programme based on the topic of application of "Science of Conservation in built-in Heritage" would really benefit the Heritage managers of NE region.

Science is now widely involved in all aspects of human life.

Similarly in the field of archaeology for the survey, preservation land conservation, various methods and techniques of science are used.

Major parts of the North-east region are culturally attached with main land India but geographically it has a close affinity with South East Asia.

The environmental and climatic condition also varies from other parts of the country.

These regions of India are endowed with rich heritage like the rest of the other states of India.

However,in the field of structural conservation and restoration of monuments the region still lags behind due of various factors.

Overcoming all these difficulties, we have to put our best efforts to encourage the use of various technologies for the conservation, restoration, preservation and maintenance of our monumental heritage, the Chief Minister said.

He went on to recall that the dawn of archaeology in Manipur was started in the early 1930s under the leadership of self-taught archeologist W.Yumjao Singh who conducted various archaeological explorations at sites like Kameng, Sangaithel etc.

Then, the archeological development went through a dark phase of almost 30 years.

In the 1970s, the renaissance of archaeological development in Manipur took place under the leadership of Dr..OKumar Singh and he laid the foundation of Modern Archaeology of Manipur.

Subsequently, Manipur State Archaeology was established under the aegis of Department of Art and Culture, Govt.of Manipur in 1978.During the last 35 years of its existence, Manipur State Archaeology has achieved several milestones in the field of protection, preservation and conservation of archaeological monuments and sites.

It has established two in-situ site museums, protected museum objects, and excavated new sites scientifically.

Today, there are 51 protected monuments under the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976 and Rules 1979.To incorporate and protect more sites and monuments of Manipur, the Act was further amended in 1996 substituting 100 years by 75 years for classifying a monument eligible for protection.

The Indian Archaeological Society is engaged with various projects in the field of conservation of monuments, preservation of museum collections, study of various factors of decay, risk preparedness, scientific approach to the conservation problem pertaining to museum collection, archives, libraries and published various journals.

The three-day training programme organized jointly by the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur and Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi will enable the participants to learn modern techniques of Conservation, preservation, risk preparedness, response plan and strategies to reduce decay and security measures and other related issues of the monumental heritage.

I hope the Heritage Managers, Archaeological and Museum professionals, who are participating in the workshop from the northeast region, will benefit from this training cum workshop.

This training programme would also introduce the trainees to the use of latest scientific methods and techniques which will help them in taking care of their respective monuments.

All aspect of conservation and management of cultural properties in State Archaeological Department or Museum should incorporate frequent training and interaction to acquire knowledge of scientific advancement in the respective fields, the Chief Minister said.

Dr.R.K.Nimai Singh, IAS Commissioner, Art & Culture, Government of Manipur; Dr.S.S.Biswas, Vice Chairman, Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi; etc were many other distinguished dignitaries and invitees, who were present on the occasion.