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UNESCO recognition for Kerala Tourism
Winning international honours has become a habit with Kerala Tourism. Latest is an 'Honourable Mention' at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards 2006 for the restoration of Arakkal Kettu in Kannur district. The Heritage Awards are given by the UNESCO in recognition to the efforts of private individuals and organisations that have successfully restored and conserved structures and buildings of heritage value. This year, a total of 36 entries were received from 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The restoration of Arakkal Kettu has rescued a distinctive example of Kerala's architecture typology from a state of serious dilapidation, turning the 400-year old palace structure into a self-sustaining heritage museum about the state's Muslim royal traditions. A sensitive approach has been taken to retain the authenticity of the historic building through the use of local crafts and materials such as traditional lime", according to a communication from the UNESCO's Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific.
The Arakkal Kettu was the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala. The Arakkal dynasty had played an important role in the history of Kannur and outlying areas. The heritage structure built of laterite blocks and wood is an outstanding specimen of the state's tradition of architecture. Kerala Tourism financed the project following a request from the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kannur. The success of the project is the result of an innovative partnership between Kerala Tourism, the Department of Archaeology, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the palace trust.
The honour is a tribute to sustainable tourism, which Kerala has adopted in a big way", says Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Tourism. Mr. E.K. Bharat Bhushan, Principal Secretary, Tourism attributed the achievement to the Kerala Tourism (Conservation and Preservation of Areas) Act 2005, which stipulates guidelines for the preservation of heritage and environment. The project would pave the way for current and future restoration works of heritage buildings, Mr. B. Suman, Director, Kerala Tourism said.
