Risk sensitive heritage conservation in Sikkim

Southasiadisasters.net issue no. 117, September 2014:

This issue focuses on the important theme of the ‘Need for disaster risk reduction (DRR) sensitive heritage conservation in the Himalayas’. The Himalayan states of India are home to a lot of heritage sites and structures, which include palaces, temples (gompas), monasteries, stupas and old neighbourhoods. The high risk profile of the Himalayas makes a DRR sensitive approach to conservation of such heritage sites and structures imperative. This issue highlights such efforts from Sikkim and other Himalayan states of India.

Full of information on information on good practices and projects that have promoted DRR sensitive heritage conservation in the Himalayas, this issue is must read for all those interested in this important theme.

The issue includes: (i) The need for DRR sensitive heritage conservation in the Himalayas; (ii) assessment of heritage buildings in context of 2011 earthquake: a report by INTACH; (iii) conservation of the wall-paintings in the Gangtok Tsuklakhang in Sikkim; (iv) cost of disasters to India unknown; (v) heritage hazard vulnerability and capacity assessment tool for hilly regions; (vi) update on rainfall insurance at SEWA.