GS 2: IR | Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting India’s interests

Why in news?

• The restoration of an aristocratic house project from partial ruin state in Ladakh undertaken by LAMO (Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation) Center has won 2018 UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for Cultural Heritage conservation in Award of Distinction category.
• LAMO is public charitable trust established to articulate an alternative vision for the arts and media in Ladakh.

Details:

• The restored structure is strategically located at the foot of Leh palace, contributes to continuity of historic townscape of 17th century.
• Its recovery establishes precedent for conserving non-monumental urban fabric of Leh Old Town.
• Under restoration project, LAMO had used salvaged and local building materials and indigenous construction techniques and skilfully introduced modern amenities to assure its ongoing use.

Other Category awardees:

Award of Excellence:

• It was awarded to restoration project of early 20th-century Shijo-choOfune-hoko Float Machiya in Japan.
• It celebrates Kyoto culture by safeguarding city’s endangered wooden townhouse typology as well as iconic annual Gion Festival.

Award of Distinction:

• LAMO Center, Ladakh, India.

Award of Merit:

• 5 Martin Place, Sydney (Australia); Aijing Zhuang, Fujian (China); Commercial Bank of Honjo Warehouse, Saitama (Japan).

Honourable Mention:

• Hengdaohezi Town, Heilongjiang (China), Rajabai Clock Tower & University of Mumbai Library Building, Mumbai (India), RuttonseeMuljeeJetha Fountain, Mumbai (India).

New Design in Heritage Contexts:

• Kaomai Estate 1955, Chiang Mai (Thailand) and Harts Mill, Port Adelaide, (Australia).

UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation:

• It was established in 2000.
• It recognizes efforts of private individuals and organizations that have successfully conserved structures and buildings of heritage value in the region.
• It aims to encourage other property owners to undertake conservation projects within their communities, either independently or by seeking PPP (public-private partnerships).