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BIO105 Assignment 2

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38 views3 pages

BIO105 Assignment 2

Uploaded by

tanay.s1
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Tanay Shah || AU2240007

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi


Q. Why the site is nominated as a World Heritage Site ?
Humayun’s Tomb was nominated as a World Heritage Site due to its significant cultural
and architectural value. It was built in 1570 and is of particular cultural significance as it
was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. This tomb inspired several major
architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. So basically,
Humayun’s tomb set the stage for even grander buildings to come.
Humayun’s Tomb and other similar tombs from the 16th century make up a special
group of buildings from the time of the Mughal Empire. These buildings are unique
because they're really big, they're designed in a special way, and they're surrounded by
beautiful gardens. Humayun’s Tomb is especially important because it's the first of its
kind in India. It's not just a tomb; it's a symbol of the mighty Mughal dynasty that ruled
over most of the Indian subcontinent. So, these buildings are not just places to
remember important people; they also show how powerful and impressive the Mughal
Empire was.
The tomb stands within a complex of 27.04 hectares that includes other contemporary,
16th-century Mughal garden-tombs such as Nila Gumbad, Isa Khan, Bu Halima,
Afsarwala, Barber’s Tomb, and the complex where the craftsmen employed for the
building of Humayun’s Tomb stayed, the Arab Serai. The nomination of Humayun’s Tomb
as a World Heritage Site helps in preserving these historical structures and the rich
cultural heritage they represent.
Humayun’s garden-tomb is a really big and impressive building, especially for a tomb. It's
not like anything else built by Muslims before. It's huge and surrounded by beautiful
gardens, which were inspired by the idea of paradise described in the Quran. This place
was a big deal because it introduced new ideas in architecture. One of these was the
char-bagh, which is basically a fancy way of saying a garden divided into four parts.
Q. What is the contribution to Nature and Biodiversity Conservation ?
While the primary significance of Humayun’s Tomb is cultural and architectural, World
Heritage Sites also play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. Despite covering less
than 1% of the Earth’s surface, they harbour over 1/5 of mapped global species richness.
Therefore, it can be inferred that the preservation of these sites, including Humayun’s
Tomb, indirectly contributes to nature and biodiversity conservation. The gardens and
green spaces within the complex provide habitats for various species of birds, insects,
and other small animals, contributing to urban biodiversity.
While the primary significance of the site lies in its cultural and historical value, its
conservation efforts also contribute indirectly to nature and biodiversity conservation.
The restoration of flowing water into the gardens, in adherence to the Mughal charbagh
tradition, not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also promotes biodiversity by
providing habitat for various flora and fauna.
Moreover, the extensive greenery surrounding the complex, particularly in the north,
contributes to the preservation of biodiversity by acting as a natural habitat and corridor
for wildlife. However, challenges such as visitor management and infrastructure
development need careful consideration to mitigate potential negative impacts on the
site's ecological balance.
Q. Current challenges faced in Humayun's Tomb, Delhi.
These include the effects of uncontrolled urban development, unsustainable tourism
practices, neglect, natural calamities, pollution, political instability, and conflict.
Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure the long-term preservation of these sites
and their contributions to cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation.
For instance, uncontrolled urban development and pollution can degrade the physical
structure of the monuments and the quality of the surrounding environment.
Unsustainable tourism practices can lead to overcrowding and littering, which can also
harm the site and its biodiversity. Natural calamities pose a risk to the physical integrity
of the structures. Political instability and conflict can lead to neglect and even intentional
destruction of the sites.
Additionally, ensuring the protection and management of the buffer zone, which
encompasses significant buildings like the garden-tombs in the Sundarwala and
Batashewala Complexes, is essential to maintain the holistic understanding of the site's
evolution and preserve its cultural landscape.
Therefore, it’s important for the authorities to implement effective management
strategies to address these challenges and ensure the preservation of Humayun’s Tomb
and other World Heritage Sites. This includes regular maintenance and restoration work,
implementing sustainable tourism practices, and creating awareness among visitors
about the importance of preserving these sites.

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