PROCEEDINGS OF
THE WORKSHOP on A CONSERVATION PLAN FOR BHIMILI Organised by
THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY
th
th
on 29 & 30 March 2002 at Visakhapatnam, A.P.
Initiated & Co-ordinated by Kiran Keswani architect
[email protected]
CONTENTS Chapter 1 : Executive Summary Chapter 2 : Pre-workshop planning inputs Chapter 3 : Programme Chapter 4 : Minutes of the meeting Chapter 5 : Plan of Action Chapter 6 : Defining roles for future action
Annexures 1 Inventory of Historic Buildings (From a study conducted by INTACH in 1995. Reviewer : Mr.Sajjad Shahid)
2 Maps from ‘Tourism development & Conservation Plan’ – a report by Mr. S.P. Shorey, Planning Officer, HUDA
3 History of the town 4 Vizag – Kolkata connection Paper submitted by Robert-jan Baken on Tour operation in Visakhapatnam and A.P.
5 Activities of the organisation VIKASA 6 Reports, Publications and Documents that have relevance to Bheemunipatnam’s Conservation endeavour 7 An extract of the relevant provisions of the A.P. Municipalities Act 8 List of Participant addresses
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Executive Summary
The objective of the workshop was to create a platform for preparing a Conservation Plan for Bhimili. It brought together representatives of the local Administrative authorities i.e VUDA (Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority) and BMC (Bheemunipatnam Municipal Corporation), the A.P. Tourism department, Conservation experts, NGO’s working in Bhimili and the residents of Bhimili to review the development of Bhimili. The workshop was initiated and supported by the Netherlands Embassy whose aim is to work towards Conservation, Restoration and Tourism for the revival of Dutch and Indian heritage in Bhimili. The focus has been on participatory planning and the approach has been to develop a plan based on the needs of the people of Bhimili and one that grows out of inputs from residents, tourists, planners, citizens of Vizag, administrative bodies, conservationists, historians and tourism consultants. Ms. Banashree Banerjee, Consultant in Participatory Planning acted as a facilitator before and during the workshop. The programme for the 2-day workshop was prepared with her inputs and direction. Subsequently, intensive interaction with NGO’s, residents of Bhimili and the local administrative authorities over a month long period created an understanding amongst the local participants for the need for such a workshop and the expected results. The Vice-Chairman, VUDA, Mr.S.G.K. Kishore presented the work being done by the Urban Development Authority in tourism-related projects and towards the preparation of the Master Plan. He described the recent renovation work of the Clock tower in Bhimili. He pointed out that in Bhimili, at present, land value is seen as more important than heritage. The development of basic services was considered important and private sector participation would be encouraged. The Municipal Chairman, Mr.Shailendra Reddy informed the workshop that the municipal council had passed a resolution to buy back old buildings through MP grants and public contributions for reconstruction work. He emphasised that fishermen now living in slums are the original residents of Bhimili. It was necessary to review land procedures to enable acquisition of lands that had heritage buildings facing negligence. Mr. Ashis Banarjee presented the Conservation of the historic city of Ahmedabad. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has its heritage cell and they work with the citizens of the walled city of Ahmedabad. In this project, for the first time, a loan package for the owners of heritage buildings has been created as a result of the collaboration between AMC, HUDCO and the Govt. of France. Mr. S.P. Shorey, in 1980, prepared the first report on ‘Tourism development & Conservation Plan for Bheemunipatnam’ (Annexure 2) At the workshop, he discussed the packages that were needed to develop Bhimili – Infrastructure, Notifications & Regulations, Traffic management, Architectural guidelines, Encouraging residents’ pride in Bhimili, and the 3
Municipality as prime-mover. Buildings had survived in the past, also in the absence of regulations and government initiatives. He explained that today, regulations could act as a catalyst. Regulation could allow you not to demolish. They would ensure a dialogue between owner and Municipality before a building is pulled down. Regulations may also relax other requirements like land use and building controls in the interest of conservation.
Mr. Manish Chakraborti expressed the need for a vision plan for Bhimili, the mapping of heritage buildings and precincts, the illumination of ruins, identifying private houses for guest accommodation, celebrating through festivals the process of revival of Bhimili and preparing landscape plans for historic precincts. Mr. BalaSubramanyam, representing the residents of Bhimili talked about the concerns of the local people and the need to gradually win their confidence for tourism and conservation interventions in the town. Some of the issues wanting immediate attention in Bhimili were rain-water harvesting, schools and public transport. Mr. Vishwanadh, VIKASA, an NGO working in Bhimili presented their work. Dr. Prabhakar & Ms.Jyothi, Green Vision offered to contribute their time and effort to future development activity in Bhimili. Sadguru Sivananda Murty expressed his views on the development of Bhimili. Prof. G.S. Rao explained the Tourism initiatives of the State govt. for the entire Visakha region. Mr. Arunachalam, Chief Urban Planner, VUDA and Prof. Thakur, Consulting Engineering Services explained the Master Plan under preparation for the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region that will include also Bheemunipatnam. CES expressed the possibility of sharing the earlier master plan with the residents of Bhimili and incorporating their requirements, using questionnaires, for the next master plan. Group discussions were held to elicit views of the participants on various issues. It was felt that the strategy for Bhimili needed to be in consonance with the scale of the settlement. Its smallness and tranquillity were to be respected and utilised to benefit tourism and conservation. Heritage is what people think it is. It is not something abstract. People’s concerns were to be understood and addressed. Small initiatives would bring results. It could be a ‘One street a week’ approach. It ought to be made mandatory to obtain ‘Permission to demolish’ just as it was to have ‘Permission to demolish’. Dr. Aarsse affirmed that the recommendations to be acted upon immediately are : Architecture : Forming the Bhimili Heritage Cell Reconstruction of the circular tower of the “Governor’s Bungalow” to rebuild the image of Bhimili as a heritage town Social aspects : Restoration of the old tank & well which is connected to two issues – water management & heritage conservation. Creating awareness in different fields, including cultural heritage, through education
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Mr. Sunil Sharma, District Collector felt that the Development of infrastructure facilities and Preservation of Dutch culture were interdependent and needed to be simultaneously worked upon. Local people would understand Conservation only if they saw economic benefits to it and this could be done by utilising their services as guides and so on. Bhimili could only be a part of a tourism circuit and therefore it was important to have an integrated plan. Circular tower of Governor’s Bungalow complex (Pic : Mr.S.P. Shorey, 1990)
Ms. Chandana Khan, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Andhra Pradesh concluded at the end of the workshop that Bhimili to be revived as a Dutch Heritage town and the revival to be based on Sustainable tourism development, Ecofriendliness and concerns of the local authorities. A long-term plan and a short-term plan would be made for Bhimili. The Master plan being developed by VUDA to have all the micro-details. A series of interactions are required with the local people and transparency to be maintained by discussing the master plan with them. RTC buses going to Vizianagaram need to pass through Bhimili. In the Action Conservation plan 2002, at least 2-3 buildings to be conserved. The circular tower would be a unique selling point and to be part of the short-term plan. Signages for Bhimili could be designed by NID. She requested the District Collector to pay as much attention to Bhimili as to Visakhapatnam. Ms.Khan emphasised that heritage buildings are being demolished in Bhimili and there is no time to lose. Implementation is really the task.
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Pre-workshop planning inputs
The planning of the workshop began with the question : What do we want to do in Bhimili or for Bhimili and why?
The Royal Netherlands Embassy The town of Bheemunipatnam being once a dutch settlement, the Netherlands Embassy was willing to be part of an initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government and non-governmental organisations for the development of Bheemunipatnam with a view to restore and preserve the cultural heritage of the town. Dr. Robert Aarsse, Head, Dept. of Press & Culture visited Bhimili on 30th September 2002 to study the existing conditions in Bhimili. During this visit, Dr. Aarsse saw the dutch cemetery at Kumarapalem, the Flag Staff cemetery on Beach road, the Ocean View guest house, the Municipal office and the Port office. He met with the Municipal Chairman, Mr. Shailendra Reddy; the then Municipal Commissioner, Mr.Seetharamaiah; the Past Pastor of the St.Peters Church, Mr. Roberts; and some of the residents of Bhimili. After the visit to Bhimili, Dr.Aarsse met with the then District Collector, Mr. J.S.V. Prasad to understand the concern and future plans of the administrative authorities in Heritage Conservation, Urban development and Tourism. It was decided then that the workshop could be the beginning. It could assist the development of a Comprehensive Plan. The initial work was to look into the possibility of a comprehensive restoration project including the site integrated in the city as a tourist attraction. It was meant to look at the architectural aspects as well as the socio-economic angles of restoration and to seek the approval of the local authorities to support the restoration and to include it within the overall Tourism plan. It was decided to involve the Foundation for Internationally Shared Heritage (FISH), Amsterdam in the project. Subsequently, Ms. Martine Wolff participated in the workshop and provided the Historical background for Bhimili.
Shared Heritage The Foundation for Internationally Shared Heritage (FISH) aims at the conservation of monuments and believes that this conservation should also be to the benefit of the monuments' immediate surroundings. As such, FISH believes that there is a future for these type of monuments, whose importance has, in their view, been grossly underrated. Ms.Wolff has been working on the shared material heritage of the Dutch history overseas, since the early eighties of last century. According to her, 'shared heritage' means two things. One, that the heritage finds itself in one country, while its historical information is in another one. The other, that, because of a variety of reasons, its style is a mixture of European and non-European styles, meaning that this type of heritage visibly represents a meeting point of multiple cultures and traditions. 6
Since Oct 2001, Ms. Wolff started to study the Dutch manuscripts and published sources for Bheemunipatnam, which she had already visited in the early nineties.
Brief for the workshop The brief for the workshop was to study the needs of Bhimili for restoration, conservation and ecotourism; to know what was still present of the Dutch remnants, what was to be restored, what was to be conserved as part of ecotourism, how much it would cost, what would be the contributions of the local and the state administrative. It was important to arrive at which organisation would do what and how. It was proposed that research on the dutch history would be done in the Netherlands. The number of main participants for the workshop was to be not more than 15. The workshop was meant to bring out the practical problems and solutions with in the end a restoration step-by-step plan. Meetings with VUDA Interactions with the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority have been on since October 2001 in regard to the possibility of a Conservation proposal for Bhimili. The ViceChairman, Mr.S.G.K. Kishore and the Chief Urban Planner, Mr. Arunachalam were supportive of the need for such a plan. In December 2001, the Bhimili Utsav organised by VUDA and the local Municipality over 3 days was a big success. This was planned alongwith the annual Visakha Utsav celebrations in Visakhapatnam. VUDA has recently carried out renovations to the Clock Tower and the Clock is now fully functional. Work is underway to develop the area around the clock tower. It is hoped that this will bring back the old flavour of the historic precinct. Meetings with the Residents A month before the workshop, frequent visits to Bhimili and interactions with the residents of Bhimili were started. An entry into the community was made through Mr.Oliver Rayi, based in Vizag, whose family had started a school in Bhimili and were therefore known and respected in the town. An introduction to Mr.BalaSubramanyam (a retired State Bank officer and now fully dedicated to social work for Bhimili and giving his time to the management of two govt.run hospitals) led to a joint meeting with Mr.K.S. Murty, a retired Commander and Mr.Johnson Titus (Founders & Management of COTR Theological Seminary, Orphanage, Hospital & School)
The first meeting brought out views of the local people regarding Conservation, Tourism & Community development. It was felt that certain tasks could be undertaken immediately whilst the more comprehensive plans were being formulated. The tasks suggested were :
Construction of Public toilets Cleaning of the beach Restaurants Hill development Encroachments by fishermen Renovation of the VUDA Guest house (which would eliminate the time, effort and expenditure on a new hotel in the initial stages of development) Fishermen’s heritage village for tourists Overall infrastructure development
The group expressed the possibility of individuals investing in an enterprise supporting tourism or the town, if the plans of VUDA and the Tourism department were known to them. 7
How NGO interventions can support Heritage Conservation VIKASA is an NGO working in Bhimili with different groups of people and having made much progress. A meeting with the Project Director, Mr.Vishwanadh and with their project coordinators Mr. R.R. Gopal, Mr. S.V.B. Rao and Mr. K.Srinivas Kumar led to a better understanding of their work in the town. The nature of the workshop and its implications were discussed and they were requested to present their activities in the workshop. (Ref. : Annexure 5) It is felt that efforts to develop Bhimili in terms of Heritage Conservation and Tourism would be strengthened by participation from the local communities. Sanitation levels in Bhimili need to be improved to make any new intervention successful. Small enterprises on beach road and within the town such as fish snacks & preserves could attract tourists and visitors. Tour guides could be trained from among these community groups. Potters are being encouraged to develop artifacts in clay that can be marketed within and outside the town. Bhimili has always had a large fishing community. It is important that the fishermen and other local communities understand also the need for heritage conservation. A program for creating awareness in this area could be developed with the help of NGOs. This program would first understand their priorities, provide the basic necessities through governmental support and through private donor agenicies. It is important to gradually create the necessity within these groups to preserve their habitat, to maintain and take pride in their tiled roof houses which contribute immensely to the aesthetic character of the town. Vikasa has carried out in the past, orientation programs on Urban environment management strategies & approaches. Similar programs would help support the work within the Conservation Plan for Bhimili. Their exposure to and knowledge in Ecosystems would be useful to the Tourism Plan if Ecotourism is to be encouraged. A meeting was arranged with Sadguru Sivananda Murty, who has had an ashram in Bhimili for several years and has with help from many of his followers been instrumental in initiating and implementing many community development projects in Bhimili and the surrounding area.
Dutch cemeteries and the St.Peters Church Mr.Roberts, the Ex-Pastor of the St.Peters Church and a retired officer of the Chittivalasa Jute mills shared his concerns about the deteriorating condition of the church and the cemeteries. His search for a sponsor for the restoration of the cemeteries finally led to a response from the london-based British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia (BACSA). The work for the cemetery at Kumarapalem was taken up. The thick vegetation was cleared, and five feet deep silt removed. It was a two year effort.
Flag staff cemetery near the Beach
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The tablets on the tombs were cleaned and the boundary wall repaired. The excavation work also yielded a grave that had not been documented earlier. Repair work for the St.Peters church needs to be taken up and financial support is required from private and govt. funding agencies. The maintenance and landscaping of the flag staff cemetery on beach road is needed.
Meeting with Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) Chairman Mr. S.R. Rao, Chairman, VPT explained that there was a plan to build a new fishing harbour near Bheemunipatnam. The land in the Bhimili area was to be made available by the Visakhapatnam Port trust and the project would be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. This harbour was to replace the harbour at Visakhapatnam, so that the land in Vizag could be utilised differently by the Port trust and also to create a better and more hygienic environment for fisheries. A new fishing harbour is expected to influence in many ways any future development in Bhimili. Today, the fishermen who work in the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour also belong to Bhimili. Their families live in Bhimili while they live in Jalaripeta, a fishermen settlement on beach road in Visakhapatnam. It is expected that the fishermen community in Bhimili would benefit from this harbour because they would be able to work closer to their places of residence.
Meetings with private investors and educational institutes Several meetings were held with the residents’ group in the month preceding the workshop. A suggestion by the group to involve private investors & educational institutes in the development of Bhimili led to setting up meetings with Mr.K.V. Bhaskar, Manager, Goel Plywood Co.; Principal, Anil Neerukonda Institute of Technology & Sciences (Sangivalasa), Raghu Engineering College, Area Sales Manager, Coca-Cola Company; Mr.Vijay Kumar, Vijay Nirman Construction Co. and others. Most private parties were hesitant to participate and of the view that the time was not yet right to invest extensively in Bhimili. Coca-Cola was willing to consider supporting small projects in the town.
Meeting with Ms.Banashree Banerjee, Consultant in Participatory Planning Ms. Banerjee provided the broad outline for the workshop programme. It could cover Local resources (Heritage – Architectural, Cultural & Natural; Environment); Needs/Concerns of residents; Master Plan; Tourism; and Short-term & Long-term goals. ‘Immediate steps’ had to be put down during the workshop. She suggested that an ‘Environment Brigade’ could be planned for Bhimili with children forming the brigade to solve the problems of sanitation in the town.
Architecture & Planning Bhimili has an architectural character and urban fabric that is now not seen anymore in Visakhapatnam and even less in the larger cities like Bombay and Delhi. Bhimili still has tiled roof houses, verandahs with tapering columns and winding streets. These elements give it a charm that holds history within it and an aesthetic that we are becoming less and less familiar with.
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Architects & Planners would like the town to stand still in time, to study the different parts of the meaningful whole and bring them into the future designing of our towns. And, also, so that people can enjoy the town and its beauty for some more years to come.
In order for the town to stand still in time, we need to prevent further deterioration of these houses and demolition of the structures. The streets need to be retained without being subjected to “road widening” and “development”. However, Development must take place because Bhimili is a living town, with people and they must grow, with the rest of the surrounding towns and cities. So, the “development” here must be different. Old factory buidling now demolished (Pic : Mr.S.P. Shorey, 1980)
Development of a town usually implies first the physical development. This would consist of the Reframing of byelaws, the Repair of the drainage systems, the Waste disposal system, Transportation to the town and within it, the Water supply network and so on. In Bhimili, we must work towards Not “bigger roads” but better roads – a different road system perhaps that is not motorable but is useable in some parts by a horse-buggy, for instance. There could be a ring road and some arterial roads meant for vehicular traffic. Not all roads need to be for cars. Several of the stone-paved, winding streets can thus be saved and utilised by pedestrians only. Bheemunipatnam or Bhimili is the second oldest municipality in India. It is located about 25 km from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It was once a dutch colony and there remain till today some structures that were built several decades ago. This town is interesting in terms of its Planning i.e. the outlay of streets; Old buildings and their unique character; Proximity to the sea; the Fishing community and the boat landscape on its shores. It is endowed with natural beauty – a coastline that is beautiful with a lagoon that is serene and a people that are simple and hospitable. It is important that the town be preserved because today few towns exist in India that still show traces of their past, where history can still be read in the stones that make up the houses, where the house or the choultry (dharamshala) continues to make up the winding street. This historical town needs to be documented so that we can continue to design in the future, houses, streets and towns that reflect both the past and the present. A Civilisation can only be a continuous thread, coloured perhaps differently in different parts, but with a continuity that holds it together. We live today in cities that are made up of components from the western countries, that do not reflect our own past. We create alien environments and fail to understand our own need for continuity. In addition to the research and documentation of the patterns within the town and the elements that generate these patterns, it is also necessary to prevent any further deterioration 10
of the structures and the historical secrets they hold. This requires an awareness amongst the people who belong to the town because they can best protect their own immediate environment from their own uninformed efforts to make their town modern and more so, protect it from those who do not belong to the town and have lesser concern for it. There may be amongst these outsiders, traders who want to tap its business potential and therefore plant shopping areas that may not connect appropriately to the areas they meet at their edges; or builders and developers who may buy up vacant plots of land to construct multi-storeyed, modern residential complexes for the growing population where the square foot coverage and its financial potential are more important than the forms and open spaces generated, where modernity is respected and tradition is not.
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Sketches of Bhimili
Sketches of Bhimili exhibited at the workshop were meant to recreate the lost aesthetic aura of the town of Bheemunipatnam in the minds of the people of Bhimili, of the people of Vizag and several others who will one day want to come to Bhimili. The students of the Fine Arts Dept. of Andhra University were commissioned to prepare these sketches which were to be the illustrations for ‘Holidaying in Bhimili’ - How to make Bhimili a tourist attraction, a booklet which was released at the Workshop.
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Programme
Day 1 Venue
(at Municipal Office, Bhimili)
9: 00 am - 11:00 am
Historical Bhimili in Dutch Sources Ms. Martine Wolff
Present Situation in Bhimili / Local resources Mr. BalaSubramanyam
Urban Development Authority’s Plans Mr.S.A. Rehaman, Chairman, VUDA Mr.S.G.K. Kishore, VC, VUDA
Heritage Conservation Mr. Manish Chakraborti
Needs & Concerns of Bhimili Residents Mr. Shailendra Reddy
11:00 am - 11:30 am
11:30 am - 1 : 30 pm
Tea / Coffee break
NGO Efforts in Bhimili Sri Sadguru Sivananda Murty Mr.Vishwanath, Project Director, VIKASA Mr.Prabhakar & Ms.Jyothi, GREEN VISION
MASTER PLAN & DEVELOPMENT for Visakhapatnam & Bhimili Mr.Arunachalam, Chief Urban Planner, VUDA Prof. Sudhir Thakur, Consulting Engineering Services, ( Consultants for developing the Master Plan )
1: 30 pm - 2 : 30 pm
Lunch
2: 30 pm - 3 : 30 pm
Discussion
3: 30 pm - 4 : 00 pm
Tea / Coffee break
4: 00 pm - 4 : 30 pm
TOURISM Tourism initiatives in the Visakha region Prof. G.S. Rao, Consultant, A.P.Tourism Dept.
Private Entrepreneurial efforts in Bhimili Mr. A.V.Nagabhushan Rao
4: 30 pm - 5 : 00 pm
Discussion 13
Day 2 (at the Taj Residency, Visakhapatnam)
Venue
9 : 30 am - 11 : 00 am
Historical Bhimili Ms.Martine Wolff
Architectural Conservation work Mr.Manish Chakraborti
Bhimili Packages Mr. S.P. Shorey
Historic city conservation: the French experiment in Ahmedabad Ashish Banerjee
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Tea / Coffee break
11:30 am - 1 : 30 pm
GROUP DISCUSSIONS Group 1 Group 2
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Heritage Conservation Social Aspects
SHORT-TERM & LONG -TERM GOALS Discussion : What needs to be done Time frame
1: 30 pm - 2 : 30 pm
LUNCH
2.00 p.m - 3.30 p.m
Tourist scenario in Vizag & Bhimili Mr. Madhu Nair, GM, Green Park hotel
Projects identified in Group discussions
3: 30 pm - 4 : 00 pm
Tea / Coffee break
4: 00 pm - 5 : 30 pm
Summing up : Who will do what . . .Overall Plan
MMM..
7 p.m
OFFICIAL CLOSING by Ms. Chandana Khan, Secretary, Dept. of Tourism
Dinner and Cocktails hosted by Dr. Robert Aarsse at Hotel Taj
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Participants: 1. Dr. Robert Aarsse Head, Dept. of Press and Culture Netherlands Embassy 2. Ms.Martine Wolff Foundation for Internationally Shared Heritage Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3. Mr. Sunil Sharma District Collector & Chairman, District Tourism Promotion Board 4. Mr. S.G.K. Kishore Vice-Chairman Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority 5. Mr. Shailendra Reddy Municipal Chairman, Bhimili 6. Mr. Niranjan Reddy Commissioner Municipal Corporation of Bheemunipatnam 7. Mr. S.P Shorey Special Officer Planning, HUDA (Completed a report commissioned by the Department of Tourism, Govt of A.P on Conservation and Tourism Development of Bhimili, in 1980) 8. Mr. Roberts Past Pastor of St.Peters Church 9. Ms.Banashree Banerjee Consultant in Participatory Planning 10. Mr.Ashish Banarjee Consultant in Conservation 11. Mr.Manish Chakraborti Architect, Urban Planner & Conservationist 12. Mr.A.V. Nagabhushan Rao Entrepreneur in Tourism sector & now starting projects in Bhimili 13. Mr. BalaSubramanyam Retd. State Bank of India officer (actively involved in improving the town, including the management of two hospitals in Bhimili) 14. Mr.Johnson Titus Director, COTR Theological Seminary, Orphanage & hospital, Bhimili 15. Ms.Kiran Keswani Architect & Urban Designer 16. Mr. Arunachalam Chief Urban Planner, VUDA
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17. Prof. Thakur, Consulting Engineering Services Consultants for Master Plan for Visakhapatnam & Bhimili 18. Mr. Oliver Rayi Consultant, Com-fusions 19. Mr. Seshagiri Rao Special Officer, Tourism 20. Dr.Pandurangao rao Tourism officer 21. Mr.Bhuyan Planning Officer, VUDA
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Minutes of the meeting
DAY 1 Morning session Participants present : Dr. Robert Aarsse Ms. Martine Wolff Mr. S.A. Rehaman Mr. S.G.K. Kishore Mr. Arunachalam Mr. Bhuyan Prof. Thakur Prof. G.S. Rao Mr. Seshagiri Rao Dr. Panduranga Rao Mr. Shailendra Reddy Mr. Niranjan Reddy Ms. Banashree Banerjee Mr. S.P. Shorey
RA MW SAR SGK AR BY TH GSR SR PR SHR NR BB SH
Mr. Ashis Banarjee Mr. Roberts Mr. BalaSubramanyam Mr. Manish Chakraborti Ms. Kiran Keswani Mr. Johnson Titus Dr. Prabhakar Ms. Jyothi Mr. Vishwanadh Mr. R.R. Gopal Mr. Sivananda Murty Mr. Oliver Rayi Mr.A.V. Nagabhusan Rao
AB RO BS MC KK JT PK JY VH RG SIM OR AVR
Historical Bhimili Ms.Martine Wolff
The Northern Netherlands, in the 16th century occupied by the Spanish, struggled in the so called "80-years war" for their freedom and freedom of religion, in this case: Protestantism. Because of this war, from 1581, the Portuguese port of Lisbon, where the Dutch used to buy spices and goods which the Portuguese imported from Asia since the early 1500's, became impossible to reach. As the Spanish now also occupied Portugal, the Dutch decided to go and buy the much wanted spices of Asia themselves. Pepper, especially, was very much wanted, as a preservative in foods, and so it gave much profit. As many as 9 small companies were set up, which in 1602, on the initiative of the Stadholder of the new Dutch republic, were united in the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC). The VOC got all kinds of power to act independently once East of Africa. This was also meant to enable the ships to fight the Portuguese and the much hated Spanish competitors. The main goal of the VOC was to fit into the old trading network of Asia. Only a small part of the trade was sent to the Netherlands. Once a year the return-fleet sailed from the VOC's-headquarters in Batavia. When the Dutch exactly settled down in Bhimli is not known, but they were here before 1642. They had to rent a piece of ground and have permission to build a factory. In later days the company had a mixed relationship with the Princes of Vizianagram who were then the owners of most of the grounds. In Bhimli, the Dutch kept two smaller ships near the shore, just in case.. With the population there were no problems. Many were working for the company. In the 18th century the VOC in Bhimli consisted of 60 people, among whom only 12 or 13 were of Dutch or other European birth, the others were people from the village.
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A factory was not a mill, it was the settlement of the company, where they worked, lived and stored their trade. The coming of the ships was dependent on the monsoons, they came only once or twice a year. So: good and safe storage was important. In Bhimli the Dutch bought rice for Ceylon, jute as packing material, and whatever seemed needed elsewhere. They imported copper from Japan in order to make VOC-coins in their own mint. In the map of 1756 the plan for a new fort is projected on the map of Bhimli as a village. The then current living quarters of the VOC but also of local people are given. All known wells and tanks are drawn, as well as "pagodes", i.e. temples, and mosks. Dutch reports from after that year 1756 tell, however, that the British later blew-up the Dutch buildings. But it's possible still that they kept a few, which they thought of any use. As the VOC was dissolved before the end of the 18th century, it's not probable that any building built later than 1800 can have been Dutch. The Dutch government took over the debts of the Company and was only too glad to get rid of all financial responsibilities in this part of Asia. In conserving the historic character of Bhimli this map could help conserve the original structure of the village and the identification of several specific elements. To be of real use, this map will have to be blue-printed and will be sent to you in due course. BS
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Beach in Bhimili and the municipal park Old well and tank that needs restoration. The Dutch built a well and water collects in it from the hillside. Old building with 116 doors was demolished recently Two cemeteries, one on the beach, the other at Kummarapalem The population of Bhimili is made up of mostly labourers and fishermen, communities that are economically backward. Bhimili has one of the 32 Narasimhaswamy temples The 22 schools in Bhimili need attention Local people need to have confidence in outsiders 3-4 km. Stretch of plateau on the Narasimha swamy temple. Good for resort. Water harvesting is important Let 2 long-distance buses be diverted along the beach road Improvement of standard of living of people of Bhimili Who is willing to contribute to the development of Bhimili? :
Draft action plan Need more information from the Dutch about the history We need to mobilize resources Netherlands technical support Convergence of resources & efforts of local authority The strength of Bhimili is its heritage. Weakness : Land value seen as more important than heritage How to make building conservation profitable for private owners Transparent provisions : discussion with stakeholders Private sector participation 18
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SHR
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Present services situation of Bhimili o The sewage goes into the river o There is open defecation o Garbage collection is dismal o We need water conservation o Treatment of waste The Bhimili clock tower was just renovated by VUDA Not just Conservation of old buildings but also development of basic services like sanitation, water, etc. VUDA : Planning and infrastructure improvement by raising local resources 50 lakhs for development of projects in Bhimili Awareness of conservation in the municipality RNE : Technical assistance Convergence with govt. depts. Grants for implementation VUDA as nodal agency Local initiative, local NGO’s , local mandate, local contribution While revising the master urban plan we need to include regulations for promoting the development. Need to create rules for the construction of a building next to an old building. Maintain the ambience of the area/ town. Need to have development control regulations to enhance the development of the area.
:
Unemployment for a majority of the population Traditional fishermen and the fishing harbour Tourism IT dept. conducted auctions in 1994 and handed over buildings in 1994 to private owners who demolished some of these structures Municipal Council has passed a resolution to buy back old buildings through MP grants and public contributions for reconstruction Reconstruction important MRO requested to give 1 acre for potters who worked with architecture students of AU The fishermen living in slums, are the original residents of Bhimili Clock tower, beaches, road works being taken up by VUDA Improving sanitation For greenery, lease land to unemployed youth to develop cashew plantations Schools to be given more amenities Land Procedures review Bhimili has a severe water problem, the town needs water conservation schemes Need to plant trees on the 300 acres of barren hillsides
MC :
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Recognise and build on passion for Conservation If resources become available for tourism, can they be directed also to development and heritage conservation How to add value to old buildings
SIM :
• • • • • • • •
Cannot take people to see the town because of poor public hygiene The town has a 1km beach strip that needs to be developed – continuation of beach in Vizag Private entrepreneurs do not find it lucrative to invest in Bhimili Approach roads not good, have to be improved Maintenance of neighbourhoods to be given to local people Buddhist monuments in the vicinity Need to improve public hygiene Need to improve slums in Bhimili The govt has to provide some facilities and infrastructure The approach road leading to the town is narrow and not lit. The road has to be improved Some enclaves in the town should be encouraged to maintain the buildings themselves. We should take the burden away from the municipal authorities. Bhimili is a 2nd century Buddhist settlement Need to maintain temple surroundings.
VH :
• • • • • • • • •
Vikasa has been working in this area since’98. The civic amenities in the town are inadequate. Protected drinking water is not available. There is open defecation Most families live in kutcha houses. High concentration of occupation groups / communities Enrollment in primary schools is less. Overall adult literacy is less There is lack of institutional credit Occupational groups in the town : potters, construction worker, domestic workers. Fishing community
PK :
Health, education Alcoholism, drugabuse, violence against women Personal & environmental hygiene Tree plantation & kitchen gardens Protection of the beach Rainwater harvesting structures Training and skills development Cultural heritage o o
Celebration of local festivals Promoting local talents
20
o o o o o
Establish a Local museum Library Art center, like Kalashetra in Chennai Annual cultural festival Network with other heritage sites
AR :
Impact of the Fishing harbour o o o
Road-widening Heritage regulations forwarded to the govt. Conservation and Economic uses 17 buildings identified in Bhimili Technical problems Local expertise to be built up Heritage zone Old, dilapidated buildings & repairs Poor people Periodic maintenance is a problem Soft loan / grant Preserve the same city structure o o
• •
What kind of economic activities? Anandapuram junction as industrial zone Fishing-based activities
No road widening Gradient very good & well-designed
Ghat road, garden, afforestation on Narasimhaswamy temple Interactive sessions with different stakeholders Make certain areas a pedestrian precinct Start afforestation of hillsides with medicinal plants.
TH :
Example of Pink city Crafts training centre in Bhimili Amphitheatre for annual dance & music festival Amusement park Focus group discussion Marine museum Acquarium Film studio Recycling of water, rainwater harvesting Non-conventional energy Bunding, check dams Urban forestry & urban agriculture
SH :
In Hyderabad, A.P. urban area development Act Heritage building regulations 1995 Structures declared as heritage buildings In Hyderabad, 137 buildings notified Mumbai in 1991 – 600 heritage buildings 21
o
Therefore, owners’ responsibility to repair and maintain
o 15 heritage precincts Govt. of A.P. has asked all local development authorities to come up with notification February 1997 – notification Heritage buildings survived because they were not demolished by the owners Saved 4 govt. and 10 private buildings because of notification Transfer of development rights Regulation gives Conservation as an option
DAY 1 Afternoon session JT :
We, in Bhimili want to get things started now.
TH :
Explained the master plan process o o o o
Mapping Consultation through workshops Household surveys Consultation with institutions
MC :
Is there a vision for Bhimili? Is there a special consideration for Bhimili?
TH :
Conservation Renovation Readaptive uses
AB :
Discussion on planning Discussion on Conservation Common interests but measures required To think in consonance with the scale of the town Heritage is what the community thinks it is, it does not exist in isolation Can the Bhimili community gain The scale of Bhimili is very good to work in Enhancing the quality of life
BG :
We have a ladder to climb How to start Address the small problems : sanitation
SM :
Master plan will take a few years, what until then
SH :
22
There is already a master plan. The new one is being prepared For heritage buildings – within the power of the municipality to permit any use Heritage areas can be notified by municipality under the act
Repair of the college building in Bhimili Renovation of the 100 year old Rama temple Skills and resources available If an old building with strong walls is given to our NGO, we can restore it
JY :
MC :
We need to identify opportunity areas for Conservation
If the municipality can make a list of projects and initiatives of different NGO’s Maybe, change of functions
JT :
MC :
What is the scale at which the Master plan will be prepared?
TH :
1 : 8000 scale
SM :
People need to be aware of ambience
SHR :
It costs a lot of money to preserve buildings
BB :
Convince people that ambience sells People need to see that people will benefit from heritage conservation
Awareness of the benefits is required
JT :
BG :
Initiative is required
TH :
Master plan questionnaire to be given to stakeholders
BY :
Two days interactive session with municipalities
RA :
How to go about
SM :
Documentation
JT :
23
Public relations
BG :
Ready to take up any one building
BS :
People of Bhimili can volunteer to receive tourists to their homes
AB :
AMC – Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation – heritage cell, involve an outsider to work with the municipality
SM :
Why not tourism department do the public relations?
GSR :
Have a local movement Rs. 400 crores available for this region, so, why not? Plan for model dutch village in Bhimili An MOU between the Indian and Netherlands govt. for a plan of action Self-regulation is important for Conservation Focal point – Tourism development with improvement of the local economy in view Kailashgiri – a ropeway to be included Beach resorts Dolphinarium Thotlakonda ring road & ropeway Bavikonda : a buddhist museum Promotion of buddhist tourism in A.P. o o
Sailing academy Bhimili o o o o o
Dutch museum Develop one street Upgrade food and accommodation facilities Restaurant & food court 30 crore Vizag-Bhimili road widening
KPMG report o o o
• • •
130 sites, 22 to be taken up Road show in Japan
Fishermen’s village Dutch monuments Narasimhaswamy temple
National Institute of Tourism Management to be set up at Gachibowli in Hyderabad Create water sport facilities along the 950kms of coastline Start a sailing Academy which will require an investment of 1cr Ayurveda tourism – resorts in Vizag & around Hyderabad Shilparamam – 40 lakhs Ecotourism at Endada
SHR :
Benefits to the local people Tourists from Orissa, West Bengal and the middle class of Vizag 24
Restore old buildings such as the municipal choultry Grave yard – the flag staff cemetery still being used us a burial ground. New land will be given for new burials and old cemetery to be preserved as a heritage site Responsibility has to be fixed for the protection of monuments Bus service required DTPC – District Tourism Promotion Council, can entertain the proposal of sanitation Provision of individual toilets - the only solution
AVR :
Explains plans for beach development project near estuary, illumination of ruins in Bhimili
Some questions on quality of intervention RA :
Conservation, Restoration, Tourism – priorities in that order for the Netherlands. Must fit together in something as a whole
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DAY 2 Morning session 9 : 30 am - 11 : 00 am
Architectural Conservation work Mr.Manish Chakraborti
Bimili Packages Mr. S.P. Shorey
Historic city conservation: the French experiment in Ahmedabad Ashis Banerjee
Architectural Conservation work Mr.Manish Chakraborti
Addressing the Long Pending issues a) Drawing a vision plan through community consultations to enhance the image and encourage visitors and tourists b) Look for a driving engine, or create a new one to push the VISION PLAN hard c) Engage in proactive dissemination of the Vision Plan to all levels – local & outsiders & Winning friends / partners (weal, national, international) Tasking a) Listing of heritage buildings / precincts b) Mapping (on a legible scale) heritage buildings and precincts and grade them c) Pass notification for protection of listed heritage buildings under the provision of the Municipal Act d) Create a heritage cell as the Municipality e) Prepare guidelines for future development f) Prepare landmark heritage buildings at risk g) Get the illumination of the ruins done h) Prepare estimates for repair of landmark heritage buildings at risk i) Prepare plan estimates for reconstruction of the Tower building j) Liaison vigorously to incorporate the Vision Plan to Master Plan for Bhimili under preparation k) Identify private houses suitable for guest accommodation and other functions Now 1. Begin reconstruction of the Tower building – a significant specific step to revival 2. Begin repair of landmark buildings 3. Promote and encourage accommodation for visitors through re-use / paying guest of listed heritage buildings 4. Go for extensive signage and interpretation 5. Start celebrating, through festivals and local cultural / art events, the process of revival of Bhimili 6. Push hard for legislation for protection of heritage buildings / precincts 7. Encourage LOW KEY TOURIST ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES 8. Prepare landscape plans for historic precincts ruins 9. Consolidate and work towards enhancing the image / legibility / interpretation of the tower
26
Later Consolidate / Enhance / Monitor / Manage / Maintain Growing Concerns & Chances 1. Protection of heritage buildings 2. Promoting it as a getaway tourist destination 3. Plans and programmes of the department of tourism 4. Preparation of master plan 5. Specific moves – floating restaurant 6. Growing participation of local NGO’s 7. Calcutta – Vizag – Bhimili (?) connection (Ref. Annexure no. 8. Bhimili – Dutch connection (reconnection)
DAARI )
Strengths
The natural landscape The built landscape
: :
Scale of the town History of the town
:
Sea / Beach / Hills The heritage buildings, traditional streetscape, traditional fishing settlement Small , quaint. Manageable
Weakness 1. Lack of awareness of its uniquely built landscape 2. Destruction of heritage buildings Buildings gone in the past 4 / 5 years 116 bungalow the lion gate building the tower building English club house 3. Insensitive development . . . buildings / roads 4. Lack of facilities for visitors a. Accommodation b. Interpretation 5. Decreasing legibility of the town a. no defined entrance
27
Bhimili Packages Mr. S.P. Shorey
Bhimili Package – 1 Improvement of Water supply Sewerage Garbage removal Storm water Street lights All wires and cables to be underground Control & Standardisation of Signboards and Hoardings Street furniture Bhimili Package – 2 Notification of Streets & Buildings under Municipal Act Regulations under A.P. Urban Act Heritage Committee Notify buildings Notify precincts Bhimili Package – 3 Traffic Management Pedestrian areas Footpaths Land-use Plans Density Policy (FAR) Architectural Guidelines Bhimili Package – 4 TDR & Other incentives Improve Govt. / Public properties MMR – Conservation Society Type body Encouraging Residents’ Pride in Bhimili Municipality to be the Prime mover
28
Historic city conservation: the French experiment in Ahmedabad Ashish Banerjee
Interest has moved from the Conservation of monuments to the conservation of historic urban heritage Conservation of 'living heritage'; historic gardens and landscapes; and of sites which have elements of built as well as natural heritage Contemporary urban development processes tend to overlook the unique characteristics of the the historic legacy of the urban form while planning for urban growth Conserving urban heritage is a conscious intervention in the historic city to nurture the built as well as the social fabric Ahmedabad was chosen by the French for Conservation because of the unique labyrinthine structure of the 'pols' in the historic walled city. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation(AMC) had already set up a heritage cell which signified that the AMC would be a willing partner in the project. Since the bulk of the buildings to be conserved are privately owned the willingness of house owners to come forward and conserve their buildings is an essential precondition for the project to succeed. Unfortunately many of the best facades were being pulled down and sold to middlemen who were making large profits by selling them abroad.
The Indo-French collaboration took the following major steps: 1. The organisation of three technical workshops entitled SAMBHAVA I, II, & III were organised over 3years with Indian and French experts. 2. Intensive field-work by French and Indian experts with the participation and facilitation of the AMC leading to the preparation of a document which sets out the broad plan. 3. Partnership with HUDCO to channelise French subsidies to house owners in consultation with AMC. 4. Conceptualising a Heritage Centre which would provide technical inputs for conservation. 5. The adoption of Heritage Regulations for the walled city which would first stop demolition of heritage buildings and then ensure that buildings are conserved and maintained in conformity with the proper principles of urban conservation. 6. Partnership with NGOs such as INTACH and other local groups in order to sustain civic interest in conservation. 7. Drawing up MOUs between parties and other confidence-building strategies.
29
11: 30 am - 1 : 30 pm
GROUP DISCUSSIONS Group 1 Group 2
: :
Heritage Conservation Social Aspects
SHORT-TERM & LONG -TERM GOALS Discussion : What needs to be done Time frame RA :
Workshop participants to form two discussion groups : Group 1 : Social Aspects Group 2 : Architectural conservation The two groups discussed relevant issues and formed their recommendations which were put forth to the entire team.
DAY 2 Afternoon session 2.00 p.m - 3.30 p.m
Projects identified in Group discussions Tourist scenario in Vizag & Bhimili (Mr. Madhu Nair, GM, Green Park hotel)
Projects identified in Group discussions Social Aspects The group discussed issues related to Sanitation, Water supply, Education, Environment & Community Awareness about Heritage as well as Sanitation. It felt that water harvesting needs to be taken up and the various initiatives that are happening in A.P. could be extended to Bhimili with the assistance of VUDA. In Sanitation, various govt. schemes such as integrated low-cost sanitation schemes, Sulabh sauchalaya could be followed to prevent open defaecation. Some would serve itinerant travellers like tourists and others would be for residents. It was important to improve living conditions in Bhimili whether or not it becomes a tourist destination. The discussion was restricted to short-term goals. The group identified the following proposals to be immediately taken up for implementation and confirmed participation from NGO’s for these projects : 1. Tank and old well restoration. To augment water supply technical expertise needed. Lions club has taken the initiative to desilt and clean the well. (Proposal to be sent to VUDA) 2. Program for awareness of cultural & architectural heritage for school children (Gautam Boat House) 3. Community awareness programs (Green Vision) 4. Tree Plantation program with two local colleges (Lions Club – Mr.BalaSubramanyam) (Saplings to be provided by VUDA)
5. Inventory of facilities that are lacking in the local schools to be prepared 6. Sanitation schemes of the govt.
30
The NGO’s in the group thought that through private negotiation, Conservation is possible, if technical expertise is available.
Architectural conservation Short-term objectives Govt. to notify heritage buildings Architectural Control / Guidelines (BHC) Rebuild the circular tower Listing of buildings o o
Include precincts in the scope Institutional support from AU
Bhimili Heritage Committee Heritage Walk (INTACH) Signage
Adopt buildings (Port authorities)
o o o o
Advertisement control Port Custom house to be retained at all costs State Govt. to take appropriate action Identify other buildings and areas
Conservation Plan to be developed (BHC-CES-VUDA) o o o o
Individual historic buildings Precincts Streets and Plazas Street furniture / Landscape
Long-term objectives Fishing village i. More facilities ii. Integration into the overall development plan
Development of tourism-related facilities i. Open air theatre ii. Travel guides / assistance iii. Information kiosks
Assessment of carrying capacity of Bhimili
Underground Wiring/Cabling Reclaiming what is lost
i. Environmental Assessment
BS :
For Water Conservation in Bhimili, Govt.’s Neeru-Meeru program and the food-for-work program.
Near Bhimili, there is a river called Gosthani. The city of Visakhapatnam gets some percentage of water from the river in Bhimili. Why are the people of Bhimili having a water shortage when Bhimili is supplying to a major city. Why can the town not tap into its own water?
The Gosthani river passes through Araku and flows down to Bhimili but the problem is the salinity. The salinity reaches right upto 3-4 km up the river.
JT :
BG:
JT :
31
In Tagarapuvalasa is the main pumphouse and we are having a water problem inspite of being only 5 km away. If you don’t have water, any tourism project or whatever you plan now, will not work.
TH :
There are hundreds of water bodies in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan region (VMR) Satellite image of December, 2 months after the monsoon, did not show any waterbodies People’s participation is important, through the panchayats. A program for desilting the water tanks can be carried out. We are preparing this master plan for 2020 and there is absolutely no water in the VMR.
AS :
The Delhi Master Plan 2020 too will include the protection of the natural heritage, especially water bodies An opportunity for Master Plan Consultants to integrate the water bodies into the plan. Some of the water is evaporating, some of the water is percolating. In the past, desilting used to be a community activity Every village has its own reservoir. Every village has a desilting system before the monsoon. Water shortage affects the rich and the poor alike and we must bring people together around concerns like this.
TH :
Recharging of wells to be undertaken RA :
Recommendations of Social Aspect Group The most important is the the old tank & well which is connected to two issues – water management & heritage conservation. Enormous need for awareness in different fields, including cultural heritage, through education That Bhimili is Bhimili and that the people of Bhimili should be proud of Bhimili Recommendations of Architecture Group Short-term : Creation of the Bhimili Heritage Cell The Cell or Committee to work with Municipal Chairman and the Council to advise & to help implement Heritage & Social projects, since we can’t do one without the other. Heritage cell is also the window in which people, NGO’s will formulate new ideas, oppositions etc. To rebuild the image of Bhimili as a heritage town. To rebuild the circular tower. It would give a signal to everyone concerned, that one is in Bhimili and it becomes a logo. Long-term : The heritage walk, needs some people to think about it. Nothing goes without the people of Bhimili. You cannot put a heritage walk in Bhimili and say this is this, if the people of the houses have not been told what is being put on their walk. A letter to the Port & Customs authorities that the City of Bhimili is taking interest in the Port Office as a sort of heritage. Fishing village near main road needs new facilities and also needs to be integrated into the whole
32
Tourist scenario in Vizag & Bhimili Mr. Madhu Nair, GM, Green Park hotel
Tourist inflow in Visakhapatnam is negligible Vizag is blessed by nature with blue seas, lush green mountains & golden sands Awareness of Visakhapatnam has never been as a tourist location Just as there is Chennai & Mahabalipuram, Bhubaneswar & Puri, a relation can be established for tourism between Vizag & Bhimili Even A.P. is not on the tourist map Hyderabad-Vizag sector could be made free on some airlines Tourists need to first reach Vizag and then they will come to Bhimili The stretch to Bhimili to be interesting continuously for the tourist There must be Awareness + Infrastructure development Vizag is looked upon as a fishing village in other metropolitan cities Domestic tourism here has gained momentum in the last 2 years Paying capacity of the people who visit is of the A.P. Tourism Yatri Niwas category They come from Bhubaneswar, Calcutta and to an extent, Hyderabad The people of Hyderabad prefer Bangalore to Visakhapatnam Need for user-friendly beaches; Gangavaram or Rushikonda or R.K. beach all have rough terrain, strong undercurrents and a steep drop in level There should be a time frame, say, 2 years If Green Park were to invest in Bhimili, we need to study carefully the viability and at present it is not good Beach resorts being set up on the Vizag-Bhimili road are not taking off either In Vizag, 95% of people are employed. It is a very price-sensitive city and everything needs to be value for money The few remaining city inhabitants who are in the higher bracket, prefer Goa, or Bangkok to Bhimili or Rushikonda beaches If investors have to come to Vizag, it has to be user-friendly If tourists come from Calcutta, or Bhubaneswar, they come for Water. They have never seen the Sea What the tourists want to see i.e. what the hotel can sell them is Borra Caves & Araku Green Park hotel tried to sell Buddhist sites; the tourists are too bored with that, they come here to relax Sell Bhimili as a land’s end. You reach it . . . you have a lagoon, you have the sea. We need to make here something innovative Today, Bhimili has no more than a boat ride for a tourist In Vizag, the rooms capacity in 3-star hotels & upwards is 680 rooms On an average, across the city, daily 250 rooms are lying vacant A hotel on the beach also sells itself as a business destination rather than a tourist destination All hoteliers here do have a tourist package that consists of City sight-seeing, Rushikonda, Kailashgiri & so on In Bhimili, there are no hygienic restaurants & no rest rooms There are no lights on the Vizag-Bhimili road
33
4: 00 pm - 5 : 30 pm MMM..
Summing up : Who will do what . . . Overall Plan OFFICIAL CLOSING by Ms. Chandana Khan, Secretary, Dept. of Tourism
Mr. Sunil Sharma, District Collector, Visakhapatnam
Two important issues, both equally important and dependent on each other o Preserve Dutch culture, to offer something new o Improve infrastructure facilities for tourism Easy access to Bhimili from Vizag is important. So, road improvement to be incorporated in the Master Plan Lighting to be developed on Vizag-Bhimili road Co-ordinated approach with support from the local people The community will understand and appreciate Conservation only if they see some economic benefit in it. Cannot see improvement of Clock tower, Church or Governor’s bungalow in isolation. In order to bring about economic benefits to the local people, utilise their services as guides, etc. Local market, restaurants, boat club to be developed further Bhimili can only be one part of the tourism circuit. Therefore, an integrated plan is needed.
Ms. Chandana Khan, Secretary, Dept. of Tourism :
Emphasis on Bhimili is good KPMG report on tourism plan for coastal andhra includes revival of dutch heritage in Bhimili Immense tourism potential of this area and needs to be taken up on priority Issue of Bhimili redevelopment revived after interest taken by the Netherlands embassy We are here to make a long-term plan and a short-term plan The objective is very functional VUDA will develop a masterplan which will have all the micro-details Few things that are considered important by all need to be immediately taken up Implementation is really the task HERITAGE CONSERVATION
Heritage buildings are being demolished. There is no time to lose. Objective is to revive Bheemunipatnam as the Dutch heritage town Revival to be based on Sustainable tourism development, Ecofriendliness, Concerns of the local authorities etc. Unnecessary apprehensions, misgivings, suspicions in the local people whenever tourism has to be developed Local people feel that they will lose their jobs, fishermen feel that they will have to go away
34
Apprehensions because pre-project activities not appropriate i.e. series of interactions are required with the local people; transparency; discussing the master plan with them. It is necessary to do this and as soon as possible Consensus has been reached on what government should do, what NGO’s should do, what others should do The minutes of the meeting and the Master plan to specify what NGO’s should do The committee should clarify what VUDA should do, what tourism dept. should do Roles to be clearly defined as a result of workshop Quality of tourists is improving, they are more educated and so interest also in history Architectural guidelines to be formulated and laws to be enforced by the Bhimili Municipal Corporation regarding building heights and designs of buildings Only when the regulations already exist can approvals for new plans be regulated Conservation architects are important and VUDA and municipality to take their services to have professional inputs TOURISM
Carrying capacity of a small town – cannot have too many hotels No necessity for accommodation in Bhimili. Tourists come here for one day. 17 heritage buildings in Bhimili to be notified Circular tower will be a unique selling point and can be a part of the short-term plan In the Action Conservation plan 2002, at least 2-3 buildings to be conserved. It must be decided which 2-3 buildings need to be conserved first. Signages for Hyderabad are being designed by NID. Same can be done for Bhimili Signage is very important and needs to be done professionally RTC buses going to Vizianagaram need to pass through Bhimili After the master plan is completed, sources of funding need to be identified Start now with the short-term plan which will be done in 1 or 2 years Who will do what and the source of funding Govt. of India is going to give funds for integrated master plan for Visakhapatnam, Bhimili and Araku areas Will the Netherlands embassy make some provision for the development of some area through the local authorities The RNE has facilitated this workshop and brought us together After Hyderabad, concentration of the tourism dept. is on Visakhapatnam Similar to Visakha utsav, Bhimili utsav is also important to popularise the town. It could be done at a larger scale Short-term plan should be drawn up immediately Request to the District Collector to pay as much attention on Bhimili as on Visakhapatnam
35
5
Plan of Action
Revival of Bhimili with efforts in the fields of :
Infrastructure development Community development Entrepreneurship development Economic development Heritage Conservation Tourism
It is proposed that the plan of action towards Heritage Conservation be : 1.
The Bhimili Municipal Corporation to form the Bhimili Heritage Cell
Bhimili Heritage Cell to be an autonomous body, with approvals for restoration and new projects, architectural guidelines, development control to be directly enforced by them and with responsibility to take action on heritage issues without delay.
2.
Port Authorities (Port office, Kakinada) a. Prevent damage to the Port office building in Bhimili b. To not allow sale of the building c. Improve the condition of the building d. Building to be handed over to the Municipal authorities or the Tourism dept. e. Adaptive use for the building for better future maintainance
3.
Principal Secy, Municipal Administration to issue orders : a. Approving the heritage regulations for Bhimili b. Approving the listing of 17 buildings sent in 1999 c. Send a copy of approval to VUDA
4.
For Sanitation, sanction of a special grant to the Bhimili Municipal Authority & for Garbage disposal by VUDA (This could include Drainage system, public toilets, awareness programs for use of
36
toilets provided and general hygiene, cleaning of the beach and its continuing maintenance) 5
Heritage Fund to be sanctioned by the State Govt. to the Bhimili Heritage Cell towards developing & implementing the Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Bhimili. th
(Through the GO Ms.No. 43 M.A. dated 15 February 2001, the Govt. of A.P. accorded sanction of Rs. 50 lakhs to Hyderabad Urban Development Authority towards improvements / repairs of heritage structures) This fund to make the CORPUS FUND for all activities of the Heritage Cell, in addition to the two projects identified at the workshop.
6
Land Procedures in Bhimili to be reviewed to enable acquisition of lands which have heritage buildings that are facing negligence
7
Sensitive planning for Clock tower area, to have old flavour of historic precinct
8
Loan package for owners of heritage buildings / old houses to be created by collaboration between Heritage cell, HUDCO, A.P. Govt. & Netherlands govt.
9
Tiled roofs be made mandatory for new constructions. Every old house in Bhimili is important because each contributes to the character of the town. Bhimili has few historic buildings left.
10
Technical Workshop in Heritage Conservation for government implementing agencies, especially the Engineering department. (To be funded by VUDA & to be organised by Bhimili Heritage Cell)
11
Staff for Conservation work to be appointed in Bhimili Municipality. Funds to be made available for this. (1 Secretary, 2 Civil Engineers, 2 Supervisors, 1 Accountant )
12
Implications of the new Fishing harbour on the development of Bhimili to be understood in terms of economic benefits to the people, hygienic conditions and basic services needed.
13
A Micro-plan for Bhimili by VUDA to support the Master Plan being developed for the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan region (VMR). This Bhimili Development Plan to study o o o o o o o o
Resources Infrastructure Housing Transportation Economy – services & trade Small-scale cottage industries Education Health
14
A special one-day ‘Heritage Conservation workshop’ to be organised for the Tourism department and the VUDA Planners to address the practical problems faced during the implementation process. (To be funded by VUDA & to be organised by Bhimili Heritage Cell)
15
Urgent need for a Detailed Map of Bhimili, to also include heritage buildings & precincts on a legible scale. To be prepared by VUDA or the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) 37
16
People of Bhimili to be encouraged to receive tourists to their homes. No tax to be levied as on a commercial enterprise.
17
Fix responsibility for protection / tutelage of every heritage building and every heritage precinct in Bhimili
18
New land to be given for new burials in the town by the District Adminstration, so that the old flag staff cemetery near beach road can be preserved as a heritage site.
19.
Old streets meant for preservation of town character to be identified by the Heritage Cell and these streets to be pedestrianised. Government to be requested to not allow road widening for the streets protected under the Conservation project.
20.
A grant of Rs.5 lakhs to be made by VUDA for whitewashing of old houses. The beauty of the town will be enhanced immediately and the neglected look wiped out.
38
Bhimili Heritage Cell Concerns : Protection of heritage buildings & precincts in Bhimili Preservation of the architectural, social and cultural heritage of the town and its people Enhancing citizen’s pride in Bhimili by regular meetings and events. Immediate tasks Reconstruct the circular tower of the Governor’s bungalow complex Restore the old tank and well near beach road Create awareness amongst the residents about the need for conservation and its benefits Objectives : Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Bhimili in consultation with the residents, local authorities and professionals in the field of conservation, planning and architecture. Facilitate the passing of notification for protection of listed heritage buildings under the provision of the Municipal Act Prepare Architectural Conservation guidelines for the town of Bhimili
Prohibit demolition of listed buildings through legislation and incentives Designate areas within the town as heritage precincts Monitor building activities in the town to maintain street character through municipal bye-laws Hold seminars, exhibitions and publish relevant literature to inform and educate the public and those in the building trade
Provide consultancy to building owners to enable them to conserve / extend / rebuild their buildings in harmony with the architectural character of the street / town. Prepare an inventory of individual houses in Bhimili that are more than 50 years old. Regulate use of hoardings in the town Prepare guidelines to be adopted by private parties who sponsor or implement beautification schemes or tourism projects in the town Identify houses or buildings that can be re-adapted for other uses to help conserve them
39
Prepare landscape development plans for historic precincts within the town Facilitate the illumination of ruins Prepare estimates for repair of heritage buildings at risk Institute a Trophy / Award for documenting streets in Bhimili with NASA – National Association for Students of Architecture to encourage architecture students to study Bhimili as an example of the ‘Conservation & Urban Development process’ Old streets meant for preservation of town character to be identified by the Heritage Cell and these streets to be pedestrianised. Government to be requested to not allow road widening for the streets protected under the Conservation project.
40
TASK 1 Reconstruct the circular tower of the Governor’s bungalow complex
(Pic : Mr.S.P. Shorey, 1990)
Preparation of proposal may include : Photo-documentation of existing site conditions at
Assimilation of old photographs of circular tower Research on o o o o
a) old site b) possible new location
Reconstruction in other Conservation projects Old uses of the Circular tower Local technologies used in its construction Availability of materials used in the old tower Skills available to execute reconstruction workshop
o Establishing the need for Reconstruction Preparing Architectural drawings for implementation Preparing the Specifications Cost Estimates
Inputs from : Foundation for Internationally Shared Heritage (FISH) It will try to find comparable buildings elsewhere. The tower is not a very Dutch building. Maybe the Dutch used the builders who also worked for the British or the French in Vizag. As for materials to be used, some advice could be given, especially in view of the silt-problem.
Bhimili Heritage Cell ARCH (Action Research in Conservation of Heritage)
41
TASK 2 Restore the old tank and well near beach road
Restoration of the tank is an effort in Conservation & Water Management. This project has the capacity to also benefit Tourism – Heritage tourism & Religious tourism. The development of the entire area to include also a temple and a ghat which would make it attractive for pilgrims. The tank could be one of the tourism center points of the town with a web that grows out of it with a cultural & research centre on ‘Water & its Conservation’. Preparation of proposal may include : Seeking technical input from water conservation professional o o o
Site vists Providing data Creating necessary linkages between working groups
Impact of the restored tank on water supply to the town Study of the social aspect of the tank and its relevance to the people Need for restoring an entire precinct to also include temple Encroachment at access points and around the tank Site measurements & preparation of execution drawings Landscaping plan for the surrounding area Preparing an estimate for :
Part I : Desilting (food-for-work scheme & other options) Cleaning of well Stone packing Decongesting the channels connecting hills to tank o Part II Landscaping o Part III Other amenities Possible collaborating agencies : Water-aid, U.K. District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Government funding schemes : A.P. Neeru-Meeru program Food-for-work program Inputs from : FISH To locate the tank on the old map. To map the old strucures and hidden pipes for bringing the water from the mountain. Sometimes only cleaning them up can provide new ideas which may be helpful for today's needs. Bhimili Heritage Cell DRDA VIKASA – an NGO working in Bhimili o
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TASK 3 Create awareness amongst the residents about the need for conservation and its benefits
Awareness programs to be conducted by NGO’s in : o Architectural heritage o Cultural heritage o Environmental Conservation Environment Brigade
at the school level
Including in the regular curriculum a view of the cultural heritage of Visakhapatnam region Slide presentation of dutch history in this region Guided tours – cultural & architectural Talks & lectures on andhra & dutch culture Seminar for school teachers on Architecture, Sculpture, Conservation & History
for the general public
Lectures, Exhibitions, films on ‘How Bhimili is different ?’ Heritage walk Co-operation of the mass media Economic and social seminar for residents of Bhimili and Vizag to generate interest in visualising the town as not just a place to live in but also as a key to development Technical Seminar on structural repairs History Seminar for residents, historians, tour operators & travel books Architectural seminars focussing on aesthetics & building
An Exhibition Sketches were made of houses & streets in bhimili. Some of the residents have already seen the sketches of Bhimili, either in the making or after they were completed. The sketches make their town look beautiful and they feel proud that outsiders like their town and even their old, dilapidated buildings which they ought to let go of, but can’t because these buildings have belonged there so long. They are often not demolished, because there is not enough money to build all houses completely “new & modern”. So, the old is allowed to remain. It is hoped that these sketches will be exhibited by the Municipalities of Bhimili (at the Municipal office) and Visakhapatnam (at the Visakha Museum). Creating a history corner in the town To have a “history corner” in the town center, a place where children and grown-ups alike can ask questions about the town’s past; where post-cards with sketches of heritage buildings can be bought for friends; a place where you can buy a detailed map and walk around the town exploring on your own. A place where you can leave behind your views and your thoughts for the next man’s journey, adding to the growing history of the town. Inputs from : Bhimili Heritage Cell FISH Green Vision & VIKASA
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TASK 4 Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Bhimili
Street in Bhimili
Conservation to be a part of the Urban renewal & Development process. An attempt to not stop the growth of the town ‘to conserve’ but to redirect it in a mutually acceptable direction. Time frame Developing of Plan Realisation of the Plan
6 months 2-5 years
Phase I Definition and Selection of Monuments & Zones Monuments Heritage sites in Bhimili Basis for Object selection Heritage zones Selection strategies Identifying local community needs Phase II Planning for Preservation and Restoration • Pre-Restoration survey • Measurement and Documentation by drawing • Photographic survey • Archaelogical survey • Cost estimates • Computation of Material requirements The Preservation and Restoration strategy Objective 44
Measures and Interventions Physical interventions • •
Prevention of Deterioration Consolidation Reconstruction
• Other operations Materials and skills Operational constraints
Phase III Implementation Procedure Role of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) Role of Bhimili Municipal Council Role of the NGO’s Role of local citizen group or concerned old residents of Bhimili Role of the Bhimili Heritage Cell Role of the Indian National Trust for Architectural & Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
Project Management strategies Work sequence
Funding options Technology of Construction Restoration vs. New Construction Techniques Shortcomings of Traditional Building Techniques Adapted technologies Rehabilitation of Historic buildings & heritage sites Background Objectives and Strategies Problems and Adaptive use Resource management Private Ownership and Conservation The Setting Preservation of the Physical environment Tax incentives Socio-economic aspect Employment opportunities Entrepreneurship development Inputs from : FISH : History of Bhimli A full story of the Dutch in Bhimli and surrounding area is totally lacking. This leads to many common misunderstandings. FISH can provide a detailed, illustrated study to be used as the source for all presentation material to be made and handed out to the visitors of a new heritage center in Bhimli. Bhimili Heritage Cell ARCH (Action Research in Conservation of Heritage) Advisors : Mr.S.P. Shorey, Ms. Banashree Banerjee (members of Bhimili Heritage Cell), Mr.Ashis Banarjee
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TASK 5 Architectural Conservation guidelines for the town of Bhimili Principles to be adhered to in the future architectural development of the town would be developed by the Bhimili Heritage Cell. These would be based on the Conservation guidelines prepared for Pondicherry and would be made available to the public. A booklet to be brought out in Telugu. This would require a study of : Time frame
:
3 months
Architectural features Plan characteristics Exterior facade Interior details Details resulting from climatic conditions Structural systems Construction techniques Building elements o o o o o o o
Compound walls Gates Doors Windows Colonnades Staircases Balconies Parapets
o Legal regulations o o o o o o
o
Heritage controls Existing building bye-laws Proposed bye-laws Implementation strategies Penalties Incentives for owners Façade control regulations
Case-studies Adaptive reuses Approval procedure How the public can utilise the services of the Heritage Cell Inputs from : FISH Bhimili Heritage Cell
ARCH
(Action Research in Conservation of Heritage)
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Recommendations from the worshop with respect to Heritage Conservation in the field of :
Tourism Tourism proposals being submitted to the Municipality from private entrepreneurs to be introduced to the Bhimili Heritage Cell and the Advisors to the Cell before final sanction of the project Tourism plans to allow for pedestrianisation of certain streets (to retain street character). These may be in addition to the historic precincts marked in the Conservation plan. Ecotourism plan for Bhimili may be developed using traditional knowledge base of the fishermen and the experience of the NGO, VIKASA. Planting of trees on the 300 acres of barren hillsides or afforestation with medicinal plants
Infrastructure development The Master Plan Consultants (CES) to work with NGO’s in Bhimili for inputs from residents using the questionnaire prepared by Consulting Engineering Services. The interactive workshops being planned by CES towards preparation of planning for Bhimili within the Master Plan for the VMR (Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region) to encourage participation from Conservationists. Water bodies in the region to be incorporated in the Master Plan and recharging of wells to be undertaken Historic precincts to be incorporated for preservation and planned development within the master plan. Approach road to Bhimili from Vizag to be provided with reflectors & white lines, on the curving road near Kailashgiri (until a larger budget for lighting the entire stretch of road becomes available) Slum rehabilitation Community development Maintenance of Awareness programs to be conducted by NGO’s for adults and children in o Architectural heritage o Cultural heritage o Environment o Sanitation & Hygiene (DRDA & NGO’s)
Entrepreneurship development 47
The project would create a program for people with traditional occupations in Bhimili such as the fishermen, potters, basket-weavers – a program that offers training, credit & marketing support. The local people would have access to training on ‘Idea recognition’ & ‘Opportunity recognition’. Small enterprises on beach road and within the town such as fish snacks & preserves that can attract tourists & visitors to be encouraged. Potters to develop artifacts & marketing support to be lent to them. Lease land to unemployed youth to develop cashew plantations
Economic development What will be the income generated by the project-supported activities? Work required for restoration & preservation is far more labour-intensive than new construction. There will be a revival of traditional building skills, such as stone dressing, etc.The need for more masons, carpenters, stone dressers & labourers will be created. There would be general manual work including application of preservatives, bitumen, etc. Besides direct employment, many people would also be involved in the manufacture & supply of various construction materials required in the Comprehensive Conservation & development project, such as bricks, cement, timber, lime, stone etc. Local people can be motivated to establish brick kilns. Local people to be encouraged to learn building construction management, so that economic benefits go directly to the workers with fewer organized contractors from outside the town. Economic spin-off effect generated by the various interventions as a result of the project. Monitoring system to be put in place at the start of the project to : o Make an objective assessment of the economic situation before the project begins o An analysis after the completion of certain periods of the ‘project’ – 1 year / 2 yrs / 5 yrs Some people would start business hiring out construction tools. Others would hire out a push cart, a bullock-cart or a tractor for transporting building materials locally.
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6
Defining roles for future action Bhimili Heritage Cell to interact & seek support from : MAIN ACTORS IN THE ‘BHIMILI DEVELOPMENT PROJECT’ Policy makers State-level o Department of Tourism, A.P. District level o Revenue department o Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) o District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) o Transport department Municipality level o Municipal Chairman & Council o Municipal Commissioner Facilitators Royal Netherlands Embassy Advisors Mr. Ashis Banarjee Ms. Banashree Banerjee, Consultant in Participatory Planning Mr. S.P. Shorey, Special Officer Planning, HUDA Funding agencies Department of Tourism, A.P. Royal Netherlands Embassy Bheemunipatnam Municipal Corporation Professional bodies / individuals Ms. Martine Wolff, Foundation for Internationally Shared Heritage (FISH) Mr. Manish Chakraborti, Architect & Conservationist Ms. Kiran Keswani, Architect & Urban Designer NGO’s Mr. Vishwanadh, VIKASA Mr. BalaSubramanyam, Lions Club Mr. Johnson Titus, Lions Club Dr. Prabhakar & Ms. Jyothi, Green Vision Sadguru Sivananda Murty Environmentalists Residents of Bhimili & Vizag Potential tourists / Regular travelers Tour operators 49
Heritage Conservation in the context of : FIELDS OF DEVELOPMENT & actors within each field
Heritage Conservation o Bhimili Heritage Cell o Royal Netherlands Embassy o Professional Consultants o NGO’s o Residents of Bhimili
Tourism o Department of Tourism, A.P. , Hyderabad o District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) o Special Officer, Tourism o Private Entrepreneurs o Tour Operators o Tourists
Infrastructure development o District Administration o Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) o Bheemunipatnam Municipal Corporation o Private investors
Community development o District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) o NGO’s • VIKASA • Lions Club, Bhimili • Green Vision
Entrepreneurship development o NGO’s specializing in entrepreneurship development • To enhance or impart skills • To facilitate financial support • To provide marketing support • To develop networking strategies
Economic development o Education o Income-generating activities o Alternative occupations o Adequate infrastructure facilities
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Annexure 1
Inventory of Historic Buildings (From a study conducted by INTACH in 1995. Reviewer : Mr.Sajjad Shahid)
1. Ocean View Guest House 2. Clock Tower 3. Moses building 4. Rippon Poor house 5. Municipal Choultry 6. Light house 7. Lion Building 8. Port Flag staff 9. Dutch bungalow 10. Circular tower 11. Governor’s bungalow 12. St.Peters’ church 13. Port shipping office 14. Dutch cemetery at Kumarapalem 15. Municipal office 16. Flag staff cemetery on beach road
1. Ocean View Guest House Historic name Other names Location Approach
: : : :
Owners Usage
: :
Significance
:
Physical Description
:
Walls Floors Roof Openings Any other
: : : : :
Imperial Bank Building Madras Bank Building Circular Road Property abuts black top road or circular road. Building accessible via paved driveway. Chittivalasa Jute Mills Co. Past : Banking office Present : Company Guest house A significant reminder of past glory of the town is that it was a major port on the coromandel coast. The town was eclipsed when the British developed the nearby Visakhapatnam port. As business dried up, financial institutions and other related activities shifted to Visakhapatnam leading to the decay of the town. The building found new owners in the nearby Chittivalasa Jute mills which maintains it and th uses it as the Company guest house. Being an example of early 20 cent. British Colonial architecture, the building incorporates most of the typical features of its period. Located high on the side of the ghats, the building offers a spectacular view of the town and the ocean. The cast iron railings, the tiled gable roof, its prime location and well-maintained gardens make it an imposing structure. Clay bricks in lime mortar and lime plaster Cement smooth finished Gabled roof with clay tiles Teak wood painted Intermediate floor teak wood
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2. Clock Tower
Historic name Date Location Approach
: : : :
Owners Usage
: :
Clock tower 1863 Circular Road Property abuts black top road or circular road. Building accessible via paved driveway. Chittivalasa Jute Mills Co. Past :Banking office Present :Company Guest house
(Pic : Mr.S.P. Shorey, 1980)
Significance
:
Example of town upliftment and local self-administration. One of the first public buildings of Bheemunipatnam, constructed by the municipal administration through its own efforts. They organised subscription campaigns for a hospital, school and church through one of their members.
Physical Description
:
Resembles the bellfry of a Gothic church.
Walls Floors Roof Openings Any other
: : : : :
Random rubble Lime mortar Wooden rafters support madras terrace Wooden-shuttered Clock by Bennett of London
3. Moses Building Historic name Other name Date Location Approach Owners : Usage Significance
: : : : :
Devils mansion Velupanda Appala Suryanarayana Mansion 1754 College road Property abuts black top road (College road)
: :
Residential One of the typical ‘Dutch’ bungalows of Bhimili. It is comparatively in a better condition with the intricate designs and architectural styles being recognisable. The andhra philosopher Guddivadi Venkat Challam established his spiritual center here during the 1930’s. This was a controversial period in the philosopher’s life when he was a strong advocate of Nudism. The Bungalow was the center of this cult.
Physical Description
:
Fallen plaster on the superstructure indicates that the structure was severely damaged and was rebuilt using the old foundations. Floors and roof are missing but what remains of the walls and parapets is in good condition.
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4. Rippon Poor house Historic name Date Location Approach Ownership Significance
: : : : : :
Lord Rippon’s poor house 1863 Circular road Property abuts black top road (Circular road) Bheemunipatnam municipality An example of Civic awareness among the local population. This institution took care of destitutes of the Bhimili society and is still fondly remembered by the older generation. It was open to all communities.
Physical description : Very few remains of the structure Walls : Clay bricks in mud and lime mortar Floors : No evidence Roof : No remains Openings : No remains (DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE)
5. Municipal choultry Historic name Date Location Approach Ownership Significance Physical Description
: : : : : :
Turner’s Choultry 1900 Strand road (Gandhi road) Abuts main thoroughfare, located opposite the main bus stand Bheemunipatnam municipality Example of colonial architecture with local influences
:
Two stories, the upper consists of a single room with a terrace. Ground floor roof/ceiling is ‘madras terrace’ while the first floor has sloping tiled roof with timber beams.
6. Light house
Historic name Date Location Ownership
: : : :
Port light 1868 Beach road Port officer, Kakinada
Significance
:
First of eight light houses built along the coast between Cocanada and Srikakulam to help the seaborne trade. The structure has remained unchanged except for the replacement of the older light with a more powerful one in 1903.
Physical Description
:
Circular tower 36 feet high. The light is visible upto a distance of 11 miles out at sea during clear weather. The lighthouse has a balcony
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Walls Floors Roof Openings Any other
: : : : :
with a steel railing around the glass panels for easier maintenance. Dressed stone in lime mortar with plaster Cement smooth finish Sheet metal dome Glass panels and teak wood entrance door th Aga light, white dioptic, 4 order; 750 candlepower flashing 4 times/minute
7. Lion Building Name Date Location Ownership Significance
: : : : :
Rajasaga Vishwananda Raju Bungalow 1880 Gandhi road Not known More than 100 years old. It is an example of Vernacular architecture. The blending of European and local styles makes it distinct.
Physical Description
:
Two-storyed structure. Insensitive additions have disrupted the symmetry and balance of the building. Extensive damage to external plaster. Most of the woodwork is rotting. The roof of the circular entrance verandah is missing. Interiors are also in a very bad condition. The lions guarding the entrance are badly damaged. Random rubble in lime mortar Random rubble and clay bricks in lime mortar Lime mortar smooth finished Clay tiles on wooden girders and G.I. sheets Wooden
Foundations Walls Floors Roof Openings Decorative Features
: : : : : :
A pair of magnificent lions in stucco plaster finish guard the main entrance. Parapet has intricate patterns in stucco. Sunshades over windows are intricately worked in wood. (DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE)
8. Port flag staff Historic name Date Location Ownership Significance
: : : : :
Port Signal house 1820. Bastion is part of the Dutch fort build around 1757 Esplanade road Port officer, Kakinada One of three signal houses in India. The staff was used to hoist flags which conveyed messages to ships out at sea. The colour-coded flags and instructions to follow them were published and used by all shipping companies in the area. This system is still practised in many parts of India. Nowadays, the staff is mainly used to hoist cyclone warning flags for the benefit of the Bheemunipatnam fishing fleet.
Physical Description
:
Floors Any other
: :
Very tall mast anchored by steel wire stays in place on an elevated platform, which is part of a bastion of the old Dutch fort. A steel and wooden cross bar ladder provides access to a small workmen platform. Platform of cement smooth finished Steel mast with steel rope stays and stone anchors
9. Dutch bungalow Name Date Location Ownership Significance
: : : : :
116 openings bungalow 1750 High street Dr.N.L. Rao Dutch period construction. It served as a hostel for the Dutch and french traders and was used as billet for the Colonel Freeder Guard during the 1794 British campaign
54
against the Raja of Vizianagaram. Ample accommodation and a dance floor on the upper storey indicate that this was a club house with “bachelor accommodation” facilities. When the British build a separate club, these premises were used as AngloIndian bachelor quarters. Physical Description
:
Decorative features
:
Verandahs running all around the building with many arched openings made this a distinctive structure and gave it the popular name, although the number of openings is less than 116.
Prime location on a hillock overlooking the sea and its grand and imposing lines make this a prominent structure. The parapet with its intricate jali work is almost intact in many of the arches. Floors : Lime smooth finished Roof : Gabled roof, teak understructure with clay tiles (DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE)
10. Circular tower
Other name Date
: :
Location Ownership
: :
Gali meda / Hawa mahal 1785. The dating is based on the chronology of the town. In 1781, the town was destroyed by war between the Dutch and the British. 1784 peace treaty. Vizianagaram reign restored. Dutch lease town and rebuild the fort, factory and other properties. Esplanade road Dr. Jitendranath, Seven hills hospital, Visakhapatnam
(Pic : Mr.S.P. Shorey; 1980)
Significance
:
Physical Description
:
Part of the Dutch Governor’s Bungalow complex. Main use seems to have been as an observation post, to monitor maritime movements of the neighbouring British and to keep track of enemy vessels in times of war. Aso as “Hawa mahal”, it was an ideal place to beat the heat. This structure is the most important part of the Dutch period and is so distinct as to be representative of the character of the town.
Elevated at ground floor to about 12 feet above the beach on a tapered retaining wall. Circular in plan with approximately 24 feet internal diameter and two storeys high with terrace and parapet. External staircase leads to the first floor with a small cubicle below the stairs. Floors : Lime mortar smooth finished (DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE)
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11. Governor’s bungalow
Historic name Other name Date Location Ownership
: : : : :
Dutch Governor’s bungalow Ripley & Co. head office 1785. Esplanade road Dr. K. Ravindranath,Apollo hospital, Hyderabad
(Pic : Mr.S.P. Shorey; 1980)
Significance
:
Physical Description
:
As the residence of the Dutch Governor, the building was the center of power and official activity. When the town was acquired by the British, including all other Dutch possessions under the treaty of 1824, it became the residence of their representative. The British relinquished their title to the Raja of Vizianagaram, who leased it to Ripley & Co. to house their head office. The zamindar of Chemuda acquired, renovated and leased the building to house American soldiers during World war II.
An imposing two-storeyed structure with a terraced portico facing the sea. The portico was accessible via an independent staircase. Walls : Random rubble in lime mortar and clay bricks superstructure with lime plastering Floors : Lime mortar smooth finished Roof : Tiled gable roof on wooden rafters Any other : Intermediate floor – madras terrace on wooden rafters (DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE)
12. St. Peter’s Church Other name Date Location Ownership Significance
: : : : :
Red church of Keetinpeta Foundation stone laid in 1859 Keetinpeta Church of South India Bhimili residents believe this to be a dutch church inspite of ample evidence of it being a British period structure. This misconception is mainly due to its location at Valandapeta (Hollanders land) and its proximity to the old dutch graveyard. A significant event linked to its construction gives evidence of the awareness and determination of the local residents in objecting to government interference regarding the architectural style of the church. The structure remained without a roof for almost two years before the government agreed to a 50% grant without imposing its views and agreeing to local dictates in Construction.
Physical Description Foundation Walls Floors Roof
: : : : :
Stained glass window panel behind the pulpit. Random rubble in lime mortar Clay bricks in lime mortar with lime plaster Lime mortar / cement smooth finished Tiled gable roof on wooden rafters
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13. Port Shipping office Date
:
Location Ownership Significance
: : :
Physical Description Walls Floors Roof
: : : :
The port shipping office was established in 1872 but the structure is from an earlier period Municipal office road Port officer, Kakinada Office of the most influential agency in the days when Bheemunipatnam was a major port and the entire town depended on the sea-borne trade. The building is significant as it is distinctly a dutch period construction as evident from the style of arched front verandah. Ground floor arched elevation with circular columns Clay bricks in lime mortar with lime plaster Cement smooth finished Gabled teakwood girders with clay tiles
14. Dutch cemetery at Kumarapalem Date Location Ownership Significance
: : : :
1661. Date established on the basis of the oldest intact tombstone Kumarapalem St. Peter’s church The oldest christian grave in this part of India is that of the Dutchman Frederick Kesslerus. A total of thirteen graves survive, most with gravestones intact.
Decorative features
:
Condition
:
Interesting floral motifs on some of the tombstones. There are no elaborate canopies or structures as at the beach cemetery. All graves are rectangular stone masonry with thick granite slabs, engraved with details of the deceased in Dutch and some with intricate designs, fixed in horizontal position. The recent excavation and restoration work carried out indicates the need for constant cleaning of silt deposited especially after every monsoon. Vandalism is still a major threat even though the site has now been provided with a compound wall and is accessible via a lockable gate.
15. Municipal Office Date Location Ownership Significance Physical Description
: : : :
1862 Municipal office road Bheemunipatnam Municipal Corporation It is the office of the second oldest municipality in India
:
Walls Floors Roof Openings Condition
: : : : :
Typical anglo-indian architectural style. A spacious hall with rooms opening out to other smaller rooms. The roof was replaced in 1975 replacing an earlier roof of similar type. Clay bricks in lime mortar with lime plaster Lime mortar smooth finished Gabled timber with bricks on edge and clay tiles Wooden, painted Rainwater from roof is seeping into the walls. The woodwork needs attention. Additional office space is created with a new building, but which obstructs the elevation.
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16. Flag Staff cemetery on Beach road Historic name Date Location Approach
: : : :
Significance
:
Physical Description
:
Flag Staff cemetery 1762 Beach road The access is controlled by St.Ann’s convent, which was requested by the Church of South India to care for the cemetery. Prior permission is required for entry. The cemetery takes its historical name from the flag staff signal that stands next to it. The oldest grave is Dutch, in addition to the British graves there and dates back to 1762. The cemetery was inherited by the British in 1826, along with all other Dutch possessions in the town under a treaty. The presence of pirate graves is significant. There are in this cemetery pyramidal tombs with skull and crossbones in relief. A couple of tombs have pavilions over them which are unique in their architectural detail. The features seen here are similar to some of the dutch monuments at Vizianagaram.
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Annexure 2
Maps from
‘Tourism development & Conservation Plan for Bheemunipatnam’
a report prepared by Mr. S.P. Shorey, Planning Officer, Hyderabad Urban Development Authority in 1980
59
This report discusses the tourism potential of the town. It outlines a brief history and looks at some of the development programmes undertaken by the government. It studies the morphology of the town, the important historic sites and buildings. It includes inspection reports on some of the sites of historic relevance, recommends repairs and maintenance and the reuse potential. The buildings included here are the Circular tower, the Dutch governor’s bungalow, the dutch cemetery, the clock tower, the site of the old mill, etc. Development guidelines for the old quarter of Bheemunipatnam town are also studied such as delineation of the old quarter, improvement of the circulation system and so on.
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61
Annexure 3
Micro Plan of Bheemunipatnam municipality Prepared by :
Municipal Chairman Municipal Commissioner Municipal Assistant Engineer
Mr. D. Shailendra Reddy Mr. P. Niranjan Reddy Mr. V. Appa Rao
Roads It is proposed to provide the following roads : Ring road from Nerellavalasa colony to Krishna colony via Vugranarasimha Swamy temple to meet Vizag road near Krishna colony Four-lane road Vizag – Bhimili Bank colony road to Anandavanam for development of township Ring road from NH-5 Valandapeta to meet Bhimili road near State Bank colony via Nammivanipeta, Rayappalem, Rajalingampeta & Dekkatipalem Road from Chittivalasa Kumamriveedhi to ‘Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha’ degree college in front of Anil Neerukonda Institute of Technology & Science College, Sangivalasa, Nammivanipeta and crossing the Kummaripalem – Tallavalasa road to meet Visakhapatnam road. Housing colonies It is proposed to construct housing colonies in the following areas : Between Chillapeta-Rayappalem For Rickshaw-pullers Association along the hill slope of Narasimha swamy temple For A.P.N.G.G.O’s Association for 200 houses At Santhapeta Chittivalasa tank by VUDA At Rajalingampeta Under Valmiki Yojana Scheme & Shelter upgradation programme, existing huts to be replaced with pucca houses Tourism Develop the Narasimha swamy temple hill Develop Jammu tanks as Boat club Provide Swimming pool & Community bath Provide public toilets in the entire municipal area especially beach area Promote hotels Provide Rest house on Bunglowmetta, Tagarapuvalasa Improve transport facilities like RTC buses, tourist vehicles, and divert all District service buses from Visakhapatnam to Vizianagaram and Srikakulam district through Beach road touching Bheemunipatnam Municipal limits Parks Develop the existing Children’s Park (Sagara Arama Park) situated near the Beach Develop existing park at Chittivalasa Provide new park in the area from Kerala Food Packers to Light house Markets Provide Rythu bazaar in Tagarapuvalasa Construction of Cold storage facilities 62
Annexure 4
History of the town Bimlipatnam This town was the headquarters of the deputy tahsildar. It was a municipality of 10,212 inhabitants and the busiest sea-port in the district. It is most picturesquely situated at the mouth of the Chittivalasa river, close under the big laterite-topped Narasimha hill. It was well known to mariners from the prominent Narasimha temple half way up it. Bimlipatnam first came into notice as a settlement of the Dutch, who built a fort and factory here in the 17th century. The early records of the English factory at Vizagapatnam are full of references to ‘our neighbours the Dutch’. In 1754, the then zamindar of Vizianagram granted pattas to the Dutch renewing permission formerly given to build a fort, possess a washing-green for bleaching cloth and to establish a mint. Hodgson’s Short description of the Dutch settlements in the Madras records says that he is satisfied with the evidence showing that the Dutch did actually coin copper there. Three washing greens or bleaching grounds were rented since 1826 to the Rajas of Vizianagram, who paid Rs.50 annually for them. Little now remains of the fort except its flagstaff bastion, facing the sea, on which the existing flagstaff stands, and some brickwork. An old plan of 1819 shows that the fort was then a rectangular construction, about 135 yards from east to west and 145 from north to south, containing a circular bastion at each corner and the ruins of certain ‘ammunition godowns’ and of the mint. Some of the Dutch who manned the outpost are buried among the plantain gardens and palm groves of Kummaripalem, near the ‘Hollanders’ lands’ and about half a mile off the fort, in the angle formed by the two roads running to Vizianagram and Vizagapatnam. This contains thirteen tombstones, made of the local garnetiferous gneiss, bearing Dutch inscriptions and coats-of-arms and ranging in date from 1661 to 1720. In the other cemetery on the beach, between the flagstaff and the sea, are several more Dutch tombs of later date. In 1846, the Dutch finally relinquished the place and it soon began to decay. About the same time, Messrs. Arbuthnot & Co. built a factory at Chittivalasa, about 3 miles to the north, for making jaggery from sugar-cane. This factory at one time turned out 6000 tons of sugar annually. At about the same period, the firm set on foot an export business in local produce, principally oil-seeds. The factory was afterwards, in 1867, converted into a mill for spinning and weaving by steam the local ‘jute’. The export trade originated by Messrs. Arbuthnot & Co. quickly attracted other European firms, and the town took a fresh lease of life. The European community supported the voluntary municipal association started in 1861 and organized subscriptions for a hospital, school and church. The voluntary association was also responsible for the clock-tower already mentioned, a quaint erection with Gothic embellishments and buttresses, resembling the belfry of an English village church.1
1
Vizagapatnam District Gazetteer, Vol.I , in the Presidency of Madras, originally published in 1907
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Coming of the Europeans The Portuguese trade monopoly in the east was challenged by the Dutch towards the end of the 16th century. The Dutch used to distribute spices and other eastern products in Northern Europe by making purchases at Lisbon and other ports in the Iberian Peninsula. In 1594, Philip II, the ruler of Spain and Portugal, used an edict preventing the entry of Dutch ships to Lisbon and other ports of his empire. This action of Philip II, denied to the Dutch their access to spices, so they decided to seek the eastern products for themselves. By that time, the Dutch were in a position to venture into the eastern trade. A Dutch traveller Van Linschoten spent nine years in South-East Asia and returned home in 1592. He published two books Revsgeschrift and Itinerario in 1595 and 1956 respectively. The first book was a manual of sailing directions for the eastern seas. The second gave an account of the author’s travels and observations in the east. The effect of these publications was tremendous. For the first time the Europeans were able to get correct information regarding the east. The merchants of Holland acted immediately. In 1595, a syndicate called Campagnie Van Verre was formed. A trade expedition to South-East Asia under the command of Cornelis de Hohtman was sent. The expedition reached Bantam, a port on the north-west coast of Java in June 1596. The expedition was a success and during the years 1595-1601 as many as 15 trade expeditions were sent, by independent and often competing syndicates. In 1600, when the English East India Company was formed, the State-General of the Netherlands felt that in order to maintain the Dutch supremacy of trade in the east, the different companies would amalgamate. Accordingly, in 1602, the private trading companies were amalgamated and a new company known as the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (United East India Company of the Netherlands) was formed under the patronage of the State. The Dutch wanted to monopolise the spice trade and so they concentrated their attention on the East Indies rather than India. Wylbrand Van Warwijck commanded the first fleet of 15 ships sent out by the V.O.C. The V.O.C. established factories at Java, Celebes and other places in the East Indies. In India, it established factories at Surat, Machilipatnam and Petaploli (Krishna district). The other Dutch settlements were at Nagapattinam, Narasapuram, Bheemunipatnam, Chinsurah (Bengal) etc. After 1623, the East India Company realised the important role played by the Indian textiles in the exchange economy of South-East Asia. It decided to purchase the textiles of India and barter them for pepper and spices in the markets of South-East Asia. The calicoes, chintzes and palampores of Andhra were very much in demand in markets in South-East Asia.
The textiles The textiles of Andhra were a craze among all sections of the population not only in SouthEast Asian countries but also in England, France, Persia, etc. A remarkable feature of the dyed chintzes of Machilipatnam was that colours became more bright and beautiful after washing. During the eighteenth century, the textile industry in Andhra flourished. The Dutch, the Portuguese and the French merchants used to advance liberal sums of money to the weavers and accepted cloth produced by them without insisting on quality. At Machilipatnam, about 5000 weavers worked for the Dutch. They were paid 5000 Madras pagodas and cheap provisions. At Injaram, 2000 weavers worked for the Dutch and 700 for the English. Besides 64
the factory at Injaram, the English had factories at Maddepalem, Bandamurilanka, Tuni, Kakinada, Corinka, Gollapalem and Visakhapatnam. The Dutch merchants were very popular as they paid the rates demanded. All the cloth produced at Berhampur, Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam and Tuni was sold to them. The textile industry in Andhra was widely diffused. But production of fine and super-fine clothes was concentrated in particular towns. Berhampur was noted for its quality silks and Srikakulam for its muslins. Machilipatnam was a worldfamous centre for chintzes and palampores. 2
2
P.Raghunadha Rao; History of Modern Andhra Pradesh; Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 1997
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Annexure 5
The Vizag-Kolkata Connection Tourism opportunities in the Visakhapatnam Region – some thoughts In the beginning of 2001 I took a group of Dutch tourists to Bhimili. In fact, I was more or less part of the group myself, guiding them on their journey along the East Coast of India. The idea of taking them to the Visakhapatnam region would never have crossed my mind if I hadn’t lived in Visakhapatnam myself. In the 1990s I spent one year in the city and another year in Vijayawada. I was doing fieldwork for a long term research on the allocation of urban land. After the completion of the study I started organising tours.
Why foreign tourists avoid Visakhapatnam According to the much acclaimed Lonely Planet ‘Travel Survival Kit’, Visakhapatnam has ‘little to offer tourists’. From a main stream (foreign) tourism perspective this is probably true. There is neither much spectacular natural beauty, nor is there a grand physical cultural heritage. The beaches cannot compete with those of Goa or Kerala and although the Symhachalam Temple is surely worth a visit, it is incomparable with some of the Orissan temples slightly further up North. The Visakhapatnam region does not harbour a Taj Mahal, a Pink City or famous pilgrimage centre. Instead it is known as a rapidly growing industrial area. Obviously, this ‘industrial’ label is not particularly helpful in promoting tourism. In addition to the lack of sensational sights, there is the lack of infrastructure to accommodate and entertain foreign tourists. These lacks are related. Tourist infrastructure along the established route has been gradually created in the direct surroundings of places which offer the aforementioned sensational sights. In many cases, the hippies and other long-term (budget) travellers were the first to visit these places. With time, well-established tourist ‘enclaves’ – clusters of streets offering a variety of restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, shops, and travel agencies specifically catering to western tastes – have developed. There is no such ‘enclave’ in the Visakhapatnam region. The city is hardly known among foreign tourists and only those with a real ‘adventurous’ attitude deviate from the standard trail in order to have a look in ‘the city of destiny’. Unless such adventurers flock to the city and its surroundings, no foreign tourist ‘infrastructure’ will develop. While supply and demand of tourist goods are related, the development of foreign tourism is largely demanddriven. It is difficult if not impossible to create the right type of tourist infrastructure without the tourists actually being around. The question then is: how can we attract (foreign) tourists?
An alternative but limited approach - Visakhapatnam’s attractions DAARI, my own travel organisation, gives one of the possible answers. This answer, however, is a-typical and its potential in terms of tourism development is highly limited. While DAARI tours include a number of well known tourist places such as Mamallapuram (Tamil Nadu) and Puri (Orissa), we spend most of the time in areas that are ‘unprepared’ for the reception of foreign tourists . We mainly travel by train (sleeper class), we stay in middle class hotels, and we eat local food. This is related to our emphasis on everyday life. We want to show our participants how people in India live, work, and travel; how they worship their Gods and how they are governed. We also pay attention to problems faced by the great number of poor Indians; and we co-operate with local organisations attempting to deal with such problems. Still, our tours are not study trips. The participants of our tours primarily see them as pleasant holidays with an alternative touch. During our tours we go to Tirupati and we spend no less than two weeks in the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam regions. We walk and cycle through the cities, visiting potters, black/goldsmiths, and carpenters settlements on the way. We get lost in the older parts of town: the old trading centre in Vijayawada and the wider areas surrounding Kota Veedhi and Kurupam Market in Visakhapatnam. And we travel through the country side, stopping by some artisan villages. While locals may not particularly value such places, they offer quite picturesque scenes to foreign visitors. In fact, many places which are locally regarded as rather ‘clumsy’ have a special value for foreigners. While middle class locals may find Poorna Market crammed, chaotic and dirty, foreign visitors are more often than not touched by what they see as ‘its chaotic charm and its exotic colours’. For DAARI it is important that Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam are still distinctly (South) Indian in character and that they lack the aforementioned tourist enclaves. While the DAARI approach by definition does not offer opportunities for wholesale tourism development, it does point to the (limited) potentiality of offering
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tourist packages for the growing number of foreign travel organisations focussing on alternative forms of tourism. In this respect, I speak of ‘packages’ because there is no single potential tourist landmark that would merit a visit to the Visakhapatnam region. The aforementioned visit of the DAARI group to Bhimili is a good case in point. Notwithstanding the fact that we were a Dutch group, our excursion to the Dutch cemetery turned out to be a disappointing experience. Had it not been for the sight of local women offering flowers and fruits to the sea on the auspicious day on which we happened to visit Bhimili, our expedition would have been a pointless affair (according to the participants). However, our stay at Rushikonda and our tour to Araku compensated for this experience and made our visit to the Visakhapatnam region a much appreciated part of our tour. Bhimili alone can hardly be expected to attract large groups of foreign tourists. Even as a beach resort it is not the prime place in the region. There are some very pleasant beaches around Visakhapatnam Some of these beaches harbour a quietness which can no longer be found on the main beaches in Goa and Kerala. Rushikonda, for example, offers both reasonable accommodation and a very nice and quiet beach. Another, even nicer but totally undeveloped beach, is located at Yarada. In addition to the beaches there is the green, mountainous hinterland of Visakhapatnam, with Araku as a main (tourist) centre. Then there are some attractions in Visakhapatnam itself (the Symhachalam Temple and the Zoo). Finally, there are a great number of the aforementioned small but noteworthy ‘everyday’ scenes in villages and urban wards. In combination, these attractions could constitute an inviting package – a part of a larger East Coast or India Tour – for foreign tour operators in search for something special, something off the beaten track. Creating such a package requires imaginative thinking and a thorough understanding of what foreigners like to see and do. The potential of this ‘obscure’ form of foreign tourism is limited. Indeed, I think that the foreign tourism potential of Visakhapatnam in general is limited. I tend to regard the prospects of domestic tourism more optimistically.
Domestic Tourism: the Vizag-Kolkata connection I can’t substantiate my arguments with hard statistical evidence. I simply ‘have the feeling’ that during the past decade or so there has been a significant growth in domestic tourism. While traditionally tourism was often related to pilgrimage or to visiting relatives, the new domestic tourism more and more centres around sight seeing and leisure. This development is related to economic growth, in particular to the growth of the urban upper middle classes and the urban elite; and to the rise of a much-condemned but hard to stop ‘western-style’ consumerism, including a modern, western idea of spending one’s holidays. Typically, the modern domestic tourist is not so much in search of the picturesque scenes which are highly valued by their foreign counterparts. Nor does he necessarily look for spectacular sights. He simply wants to have a good time (mostly not too long), away from the hectic urban working life. ‘He’ represents a relatively wealthy nuclear family living in one of India’s Metropolises. If the family lives in Delhi it regularly spends some days in Nainital. If it lives in Mumbai it may go to Matheran or Mahabaleswar. If its home town is Kolkata it spends some time in Puri each year. I have had the opportunity of loosely following tourism developments in Puri during the past 10 years or so. Originally Puri included a clearly demarcated, separate settlement for foreign tourists, an entirely Indian seaside resort, and the old town centring around the famous Jaganath Temple. Over the past 5 years there has been a gradual invasion of Indian tourists in the foreign settlement. This resulted in an interesting fusion of two distinct holiday cultures. In addition, there has been an incredible rise in the number of hotels in the domestic tourist part of town. To some extent this is, no doubt, the result of money laundering practices. On the other hand, there must have been a real and sizeable increase in the number of tourists as well. Both developments underscore ‘my feeling’ that domestic tourism is on the rise. These brief deliberations lead to the tentative conclusion that the most important client of the tourist sector in the Visakhapatnam region does not live in the USA or in Europe, but in Kolkata (and possibly in the region itself). The region can provide the ‘good time’ that holidaymakers from Kolkata are looking for. It offers them a unique combination of possibilities that can be easily reached by train and car. robert-jan baken (DAARI) March, 2002
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Annexure 6
Activities of the organisation VIKASA The development area of this NGO comprises of Bheemunipatnam and Tagarapuvalasa. The annual report 2001 of highlights their main activities as being: Formation and strengthening of groups, through formal & informal meetings, group discussions, orientation programmes and community review meetings. Identifying problems concerning livelihoods and issues relating to civic amenities and submitting memorandums to concerned authorities. Women groups have placed before the local authorities problems relating to sanitation, drinking water and street lighting. This has led to the municipality attending to bore well repairs and fixing public taps. The ban on manual scavenging led to the municipality demolishing the public manual toilets. Gradually, repair of old dilapidated toilets and construction of new community toilets has been carried out. The fishermen were sent to Kerala and to the A.P. Coastal areas for an exposure visit to learn about value addition of fish products and also disaster preparedness Revolving fund accounts have been opened for organised groups A child labour center under the National Child Labour project was started in Boyaveedhi Staff members of VIKASA have undergone training in Gender equity, CBR, HIV/AIDS, communication skills, Mother & Child care, Accountancy and Leadership skills. Based on participation of the community, sectoral interventions were initiated in Group organisation, economical programmes, education & health. Orientation on Leadership skills and development for women Community Infrastructure development Poverty pocket level issues such as livelihood, illiteracy, migration, hygiene & sanitation conditions, drinking water and civic amenities. Vikasa created a platform for networking among different fishing groups in the municipality level to solve occupation problems and issues pertaining to traditional fishing activity. To enhance the household income of the poor families by providing support for small enterprises such as vegetable vending, milk vending, dry/wet fish vending, pots marketing, small grocery shops, ice cream vending, rickshaw pulling etc. Vikasa provided working capital for farmers (crop credit) for 14 families to meet the cost of critical inputs like cost of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. They collaborated with government agricultural and horticultural departments to provide improved vegetable seeds. Extending financial support to the potter community Orientation programme on Preventive Veterinary Care
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Annexure 7 Reports, Publications and Documents that have relevance to Bheemunipatnam’s Conservation endeavour 1. Rao, G. Lakshmana; Bheemunipatnam – a historical survey (1991) Andhra University. Doctoral thesis – Dept. of history 2. Shorey , S.P. “Bheemunipatnam” 1980; A.P. Travel & Tourism Corporation, Hyderabad 3. Sajjad Shahid; Study on Bheemunipatnam – INTACH April 1995 4. Francis, W. District Gazeteer of Vizagapatnam; 1907; Madras 5. Municipal tax records & Minutes of meetings 1861; Bhimili Municipality 6. Imperial Gazeteer of India; 1908; Madras 7. Dutch Sources on South Asia
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Annexure 8
An extract of the relevant provisions of the A.P. Municipalities Act The following provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act 1965 are relevant to Bimlipatnam in respect of notification of streets, precincts, heritage buildings, heritage committees, advertisement control, land use control and requiring regular maintenance of buildings. THE ANDHRA PRADESH MUNICIPALITIES ACT 1965 SECTION 205 Power of Council to regulate future construction of certain classes of buildings in particular streets or localities: (1) The council may give public notice of its intention to declare : (a) that in any streets or portions of streets specified in the notice : (i) continuous buildings will be allowed; (ii) the elevation and construction of the frontage of all buildings thereafter constructed or reconstructed shall in respect of their architectural features, be such as the council may consider suitable to the locality; or (b) that in any localities specified in the notice, the construction of only detached buildings will be allowed or (c) that in any streets, portions of streets or localities specified in the notice, the construction of shops, warehouses, factories, huts or buildings of a specified architectural character, or buildings destined for particular use, will not be allowed without the permission of the special permission of the council. (2) No objections to any such declaration shall be received after a period of three months from the publication of such notice. (3) The Council shall consider all objections received within the said period and may then confirm the declaration, and before doing so may modify it but not so as to extend its effect. (4) The Commissioner shall publish any declaration so confirmed and it shall take effect from the date of publication. (5) No person shall, after the date of publication of such declaration, construct or reconstruct any building in contravention of any such declaration. Note: The power of the council to regulate the future constructions of certain classes of buildings in particular streets or localities is a reasonable restriction made in the interest of the general public and not violative of any of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. AIR 1954 All. 529. OTHER SECTIONS Section 228 of the same ACT can also prevent demolition of or additions /alterations to ANY building. Please procure a copy of the Act from the market. Section 249 empowers the Municipal Health Officer to require lime washing of buildings at 70
regular intervals. Section 268 mandates that the council shall declare areas meant for residential, industrial, commercial uses etc. Section 115 prevents any advertisement without permission from Commissioner. Section 31A empowers the council to appoint Committees which apart from councilors may also have experts. A Heritage Committee can be set up under this section. Please note that for none of these things government approval is needed.
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