HC asks HRCE to follow UNESCO suggestions on temple renovation

The Madras High Court has directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department to follow the suggestions of UNESCO in connection with the renovation of temples and heritage structures in Tamil Nadu and file a status report on the progress made by October 25.
The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan passed an interim order yesterday after taking cognisance of a batch of PILs on renovation work of temples and heritage structures.
"We are of the view that the HR&CE department should proceed in terms of the suggestions of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as contained in the letters dated July 15, 2016 and August 18,2016 and hold further discussions and thereafter file a status report before this vourt on the progress made and what is the time schedule within which the remaining aspects has to be addressed, in a chart form."

In 2015, the court had directed the HR&CE department to go slow on the matter of renovation for the time being till a proper course of action was evolved to protect the ancient structures.
The bench also perused the letters of UNESCO that had suggested that the state government set up a committee of conservation experts and stakeholders to identify the issues in conservation practise through case studies of temples, where conservation projects are underway.
Noting that availability of institutional and legal framework to ensure conservation as per international norms is needed to get World Heritage status, the bench observed that a review of current practises would be the first step.

Recording submissions of Assistant Solicitor General Su Srinivasan, appearing on behalf of Archaeological Survey of India, who referred to encroachments near monuments in Mahabalipuram, it noted that ASI had filed photographs before it, showing the extent of the problem where large areas had been encroached on, even blocking the view of the monuments.
Making it clear that any litigation initiated on these subjects shall be listed only before it,the bench posted the matter for further hearing to October 25.