Community Priorities in Heritage Conservation, Case of Tranquebar, Tamil Nadu

In towns multiple layers of societies exist. These different societies although interdependent are conspicuously, not physically intertwined with each other. A heritage town is generally only identified by a certain era which dominates over other identities. Conservation measures are mostly directed at improvement of architectural fabric which would thereby lead to growth of tourism. The manifestations of the societies are many times not answered to and at times are further complicated by the intervention measures undertaken. In most of the cases stakeholders are left unanswered. Thus important parameters of sustainable development such as environment improvement, overall economic growth and sustained human development are left unanswered. The paper examines this with a case of heritage conservation in Tranquebar, Tamilnadu. Tranquebar also known as Taramgambadi (Land of singing waves) is a village in Tamil Nadu state of India. The town was once known for its Danish colonisation in the Early 1600’s. Danish dignitaries, Muslim traders, German theologians, Moravian entrepreneurs, and sea merchants from all corners of the globe left an important mark on the local way of life. The 2004 Tsunami did much of the damage to its architecture (Tamil houses, Temples, Danish buildings, fishermen houses) and environment. By killing around 800 people, destroying houses, boats, losing land to sea and salinizing coast and water bodies; much money came in to restore the architectural heritage of the town, however not much is done to restore the natural environment. Also the priorities of the original residents were subsided to tourism. The paper identifies possible other conservation priorities of the town to restore the environment, community and landscape character of the town and their importance over others.