On December 16, 2020 Amar Singh College, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir received the ‘Award of Merit’ in the 2020 UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. It is one of the 7 award winners of the 2020 awards. It is the first international award given to cultural heritage in Kashmir.
- Award of Merit was also received by Pingyao Diesel Engine Factory, Shanxi, China and Malabari Hall Building, Seva Sadan Society Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- The award winners were announced by a jury, comprising nine international conservation experts.
UNESCO Introduces ‘Special Recognition for Sustainable Development’ in 2020
i.UNESCO introduced ‘Special Recognition for Sustainable Development’ in the 2020 awards.
ii.This award was received by the innovative revitalization of the Lai Cho Wo Rural Cultural Landscape in Hong Kong SAR, China and the transformative management of the historic Sunder Nursery of New Delhi, Mumbai.
Points to be Noted
i.Sunder Nursery was also recognised with the Award of Excellence, the highest recognition presented to projects.
ii.It is the 1st heritage complex in Delhi to receive 2 UNESCO Asia-Pacific awards for Cultural Heritage Conversation.
List of Awardees in 2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
| Name of the Award | Awardees Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Special Recognition for Sustainable Development | Lai Cho Wo Rural Cultural Landscape | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(SAR), China |
| Sunder Nursery | New Delhi, India | |
| Award of Distinction | Koothambalam at Guruvayoor Temple | Thrissur, Kerala, India |
|
Award of Merit | Pingyao Diesel Engine Factory | Shanxi, China
|
| Amar Singh College | Srinagar, J&K, India
| |
| Malabari Hall Building, Seva Sadan Society | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| |
| Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts | Protective Shelter at the Locality 1 Archaeological Site of Zhoukoudian Peking Man Cave World Heritage Site | Beijing, China
|
| Award of Excellence | Sunder Nursery | New Delhi, India |
Reason for the Award:
Amar Singh College
i.Amar Singh College’s restoration brought back one of the most prominent institutional buildings in Kashmir to its former glory. It is built nearly 80 years ago.
ii.The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Jammu and Kashmir chapter carried out the conservation work at the Amar Singh College.
Sunder Nursery
i.Sunder Nursery won Special Recognition for Sustainable Development for its transformative impact in turning a barren site into an urban oasis in New Delhi.
ii.It received the Award of Excellence as its renewal all together sets a new bar for heritage restoration and also serves as a catalytic model for public-private partnerships in India.
Koothambalam at Guruvayoor Temple
Koothambalam at Guruvayoor Temple was renovated without damaging its heritage beauty. TVS Motor Company has sponsored the renovation programme.
Note
i.This is the 2nd time UNESCO recognises the heritage conservation works of temples in Thrissur district.
ii.Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, was selected for UNESCO ‘Award of Excellence’ for the preservation of heritage in 2015.
About UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
i.The award has been given since 2000.
ii.This award is given to recognise the efforts of private individuals and organizations who have successfully restored, conserved and transformed structures and buildings of heritage value in the region.
Recent Related News:
i.On 23 November, 2020 to mark the 10 anniversary of “Tigers times two” or TX2 under the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to double the population of the tiger, two categories of awards were distributed. Philibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) and Uttar Pradesh Forest Department from India has won the first International award TX2.
ii.On 13th October 2020 the Central Banking organised a virtual award ceremony to honour the winner of the Annual Central Banking Awards 2020. The 2020 awards mark the 7th edition of the Annual Central Banking Awards. The award recognises the excellence in the central banking community.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO):
Director General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Members– 193 member states(including India) and 11 Associate Members
