Integral Heritage

Why historical civilization lived within nature… The ridge provided a vantage point for Delhi’s defense. Protected and forest area gave easy access to firewood, fruit etc, 2. It provided clean air and a cooler climate. 3. Water was naturally harvested and could be stored using gravity, in contrast with the river where it would have to be drawn up.

Delhi; a city defined by its river and ridge. The Ridge goes back 2 billion years! The river and the country go back only about a 100 million years. Built heritage started just a little later, a little over 2000 years ago.

Historical Delhi, lies in nature: On the Ridge lies: The Asokan edict in East of Kailash on quartzite stone. Lalkot and Suraj Kund The old cities of Delhi, built inside and around it: Quila Rai Pithora, Mehrauli, Siri, Tughlakabad… Delhi’s underground Bowlis that stored water. Asokan Pillars, installed by Tughlak. Qutab Minar. Hauz Khas Old Viceroy’s house – Northern ridge. Rashtrapati Bhavan – Raisaina Hill On the river lies: Firoz Shah Kothla and Shahajanabad.

Natural Delhi is… The Ridge and its original wilderness. The Yamuna Other water bodies like lakes and seasonal streams (eg: Najafgarh). Underground aquifers (Eg: Mehrauli-Chattarpur: 50km2 – quality drinking water for 12 million people, if farmhouses had not been built on it!). Flora and fauna. Migratory birds near water bodies. DON’T FORGET THE WHOLE ECOSYSTEM!

Quality of life: From Built Heritage # Roots: It identifies our past. # Civilization – Cultural and Educational: It embodies our human development. # Aesthetics: Lines, curves, symmetry and perspective.

Quality of life: From Natural Heritage The Ridge, forest and the river must be protected because: # Delhi needs a ridge: It provides a barrier against the approaching desert around Delhi. # Delhi needs forest: Clears the air, converts exhaust fumes to O2. Critical for the health of Delhi’s citizens - infant asthma has become endemic. Needs natural and recreational areas away from the chaos of traffic, where one can take walks, ride a cycle, climb trees, etc. # Delhi needs quality water- desperately! 1. Comes naturally from the ridge forest.

# Delhi needs the river! Fresh perennial water, for which the river must flow. Recharges the aquifers. Allows excess rainwater to drain out. Beauty and recreation. All this has enduring economic value, overwhelmingly greater than the buildings that we put on it for short term gain.

# Planning cities: Cities today are deprived of essential natural heritage because preservation of natural heritage/environment has not been implemented into the planning process. We need a citizens participatory local planning process. The ridge and river are sacred in Delhi’s master plan which, however, is observed more in its violation and not its spirit. P.S.- A forest requires no maintenance, unlike parks that need lots of water and constant care. Besides, it gives water and oxygen for free. A forest is a provider whereas a park is a consumer.

Integral Heritage: Objectives for the conservation efforts: Protecting the ridge, the river and our historical legacy. Along with the basic quality of life.

Proposal: for Integral Heritage 1. Like all the built heritage we must identify all the natural heritage sites and put them on a conservation list. 2. The larger picture: Creating an independent body like an Environmental Protection Commission with unbiased and knowledgeable citizens as members. It should decide on all big projects and protect the health and environmental right of the citizens and the city. A Healthy precedent: The Environmental Impact Assessment Authority carried out an objective EIA in 1996. It conducted a transparent and impartial public hearing on a project that would have built 13 hotels on the ridge. At the hearing it was effectively established that the hotels under question would have disastrous environmental consequences if built. P.S- At present we, in Delhi are reeling under the blatant violation of all land laws for the last three decades.

Proposal: for Integral Heritage 3. At ground level: Integral Heritage which includes, Intach Delhi, The Urban arts commission and other independent institutions (Eg: School of Planning and Architecture) should combine to: Work with all resident welfare associations to create a local cell and archive on integral heritage to build awareness, a knowledge base and a protection mechanism for all local, natural and built heritage. We can leave the rest to enlightened evolution.

Integral Heritage Movements to conserve are scattered, we need to combine energies to become stronger and more effective. Instead of working individually, lets become one force combating the problems that we face everyday.