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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh must not kill off the golden goose that makes its fortune
A prominent lawyer and judge, Cockburn was also an early heritage conservationist. In 1849 he wrote 'A Letter to the Lord Provost on the Best Ways of Spoiling the Beauty of Edinburgh' in which he outlined his fears for the future. 'Edinburgh is not exempt from the doom that makes everything spoilable,' he said at the time, urging the citizens of the city to take an interest in their civic surroundings and to hold local officials to account. The Cockburn Association was formed 21 years after his death to carry forward his concerns and passion for Edinburgh. The success of the Cockburn Association over 150 years lies in what you cannot see. Read more Thanks to its campaigning, there is no dual carriageway through the Meadows or skyscraper over Haymarket, no shopping mall beneath Princes Street or high-rise hotel looming over George Street. Civic amenities such as Inverleith Park, Corstorphine Hill and the Water of Leith Walkway were the result the Cockburn's efforts. The demolition of the First New Town was averted and historic buildings like Moubray House in the High Street conserved. With Unesco World Heritage Site status in place since 1995, the past has been protected, but what about the future? I became President of the Cockburn Association this year at pivotal moment for the city. Recent years have seen growing dissatisfaction about over tourism and creeping development. The population of Edinburgh is rising fast and could soon catch up with Glasgow. Some believe it could reach 750,000 in the next 20 years. But where will those people live and work and how will they move around an Old Town and New Town where history is baked into the cobblestones? Those are some of the questions authors Cliff Hague and Richard Rodger set out to answer in a new book published by the Cockburn Association. 'Campaigning For Edinburgh' lays out two possible visions for the future. One has overseas investors throwing up buildings wherever they want as deregulation opens up the city to market forces with a 24-hour party zone attracting even more revellers from all around the world. In the other, removing VAT from repairs and maintenance leads to a conservation boom with old, empty buildings carefully repurposed based on the wants and needs of the citizens rather than consultants or developers. Edinburgh already faces a housing emergency with more children in temporary accommodation in the city than in the whole of Wales. The priority for those kids is not architecture or heritage, they just want a home, but it's our job to ensure the myriad housing projects now taking shape around the capital are of the best possible quality and standard for them. Crucially, these places need to be communities with heart and soul and the facilities to live meaningful lives, not just dormitories for workers to eat and sleep. Edinburgh should not be pickled in aspic, with locals moving about simply as extras in a heritage theme park for visitors. But if the next few years are not carefully managed, progress risks killing the golden goose that attracts people in the first place. The architect behind the controversial W Hotel project promised it would be 'expressive… and make people happy'. Despite all the objections it went ahead. Once built, it was then named the worst new building in the world. That's not an accolade anyone wants. The revelation this month that Edinburgh is now the most expensive city-break destination in Western Europe prompted more negative headlines. But the answer is not to relax short-term let restrictions or build more cheap hotels. The solution is to manage numbers and the 5% visitor levy coming next year will help do that. The revenue also provides an opportunity to invest in the civic realm or to employ an army of workers to clean the streets, remove graffiti and pick up litter… all paid for by the tourist tax. There is a lot to be optimistic about. Management of the Old Town is already better with short-term let restrictions rejecting 90% of applications. Council plans to cut traffic volumes are also welcome provided they come with continued investment in transport alternatives. The Cockburn Association is always looking to support what is right for Edinburgh. The reborn Jenners site and the exciting new Dunard Concert Hall are two current projects we've backed with enthusiasm. More than anything, we need bold vision, based on sound heritage and architectural principles rather than the latest trend on Tik Tok . Princes Street remains an eyesore and visual proof of the decay and death of retail. The ambition that led 26-year-old James Craig to design the New Town is required now to revitalise that key thoroughfare and to guide where we go from here. Edinburgh has never been more popular but much of that popularity comes down to what has been s0 carefully protected and preserved. Over the past 150 years a lot of battle have been fought over Scotland's capital and a lot of lessons learned. They should provide the blueprint for the future to protect Edinburgh's beauties for the next generation. Stephen Jardine, President of the Cockburn Association, is a journalist, broadcaster and presenter. He has worked for the BBC, Scottish Television, GMTV and Radio Tay.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka government to study carrying capacity of Western Ghats
Bengaluru: In a move to safeguard the bio-diversity of the Western Ghats, the state govt has decided to assess the carrying capacity of the fragile mountain range protected as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The decision comes in the wake of back-to-back incidents of landslides in various parts of the region in the state during the pre-monsoon rain. In a written direction to the additional chief secretary (forest, environment and ecology), forest minister Eshwar Khandre said, "Several scientists have expressed concerns that the Western Ghats region is threatened by several linear projects, including the widening of roads and other infrastructural works. While this caused immense damage to property and resulted in casualties, it also affected the wildlife, according to their reports. They have also cautioned that if the region is degraded, it would result in water scarcity in the coming days." Referring to the possible damage to the mountainous region, Khandre directed forest officials to conduct a detailed study on the region's carrying capacity pertaining to these infrastructure works and submit a report within three months. "A whopping 60% of the forest land of the state is located in the Western Ghats with several endemic flora and faunal species. They play a crucial role in the progress of monsoon winds that bring rain to the hinterland. As we have been planning projects in a sustainable way, we need to assess the carrying capacity of the region as well. Hence, I have directed the ACS and other forest officials to submit a detailed report within three months," Khandre explained. 3 months too short: Greens Hailing the forest minister's decision as significant, conservationists, however, have expressed doubts over the proposed three-month duration of the study, as previous such efforts in some pockets took years. Former Karnataka Western Ghats Task Force chairman Anant Hegde Ashisara said, "Previously, the task force, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, prepared a report on the carrying capacity of the region in Uttara Kannada district. Then, we recommended that the state govt extend this to other parts of the Western Ghats. We are happy that the govt has realised the importance of the region at least now, and we extend all cooperation for the study. However, the govt must invite all scientists who previously worked in Uttara Kannada, and if need be, it should extend the period for a detailed scientific study." Even though there have been studies previously on the carrying capacity of the Western Ghats, they were focused on a few patches in the backdrop of developmental projects. "Karnataka will be the first state in the country to carry out the study to estimate the carrying capacity of the entire Western Ghats region," Hegde pointed out.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Science
- Borneo Post
'More advanced than imagined': Archaeologists tracing origins of Chinese civilisation at Mount Tai
An aerial drone photo shows the Dawen River (upper left), Dawenkou Site Museum (upper right) and the core area of the Dawenkou site in Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province. – Xinhua photo JINAN (June 1): At the foot of Mount Tai in east China, archaeologists work carefully in fields abloom with flowers, gently brushing soil from exposed ruins. The remnants are vestiges of a once-great civilization that prospered approximately 6,100 to 4,600 years ago. This is part of a new phase of excavations at the Neolithic Dawenkou site. The dig, launched in 2024 and set to continue through 2028, will help archaeologists uncover more information about how early human communities lived, worked, and built their societies, said Zhang Baowei, head of the Dawenkou Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. He said the team had already unearthed intriguing discoveries – including an 85-metre-wide trench, possibly used for defense, that could shed light on the early development of social organisation or even statehood. Mount Tai, a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of China's most sacred mountains, has long been culturally and spiritually symbolic. Now, its foothills are offering new insights into the origins of Chinese civilisation. The Dawenkou Culture, which preceded the better-known Longshan Culture, once spread across more than 200,000 square kilometres. It was centered around Mount Tai and Dawen River in present-day Shandong Province. First identified in the 1950s during railway construction, the site has yielded thousands of artifacts over the years – from pottery and jade to burial sites and dwellings. Some items are marked with symbols that some researchers believe may be early precursors to Chinese writing. Archaeologists have marveled at the sophistication of the Dawenkou Culture. Liu Yunlong, an archaeologist working at the site, said patches of red burnt earth uncovered were believed to be the remains of collapsed house walls. According to Liu, these walls may have been deliberately fired in their entirety to enhance structural stability, suggesting that people at the time had already mastered the ability to control extremely high temperatures. In modern attempts to replicate the technique, Liu added, archaeologists fired a similar structure continuously for four days at nearly 800 degrees Celsius – but were unable to reproduce the same result. 'Our Neolithic ancestors were far more advanced than we imagined,' he said, noting that even the layout of the dwellings showed signs of deliberate and sophisticated design. Excavations indicate that the Dawenkou people had already engaged in barter trade, and early handicrafts such as brewing, pottery-making, and textile production were beginning to emerge. Photo shows pottery displayed at the Dawenkou Site Museum in Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province. – Xinhua photo Artifacts found in burial sites suggest the presence of social stratification and a clear division of labour. Some graves contain a wealth of goods, implying the emergence of private property, social classes, and even rudimentary forms of royal authority. These burial practices also reveal the existence of ritual systems aimed at regulating interpersonal relationships – an early form of what later became known in Chinese history as 'Li'. Zhang noted that the Dawenkou ritual system likely influenced other civilisations of that time, as well as those of the later Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600BC – 256BC). After being systematised by Confucius (551 BC-479 BC), these rituals continue to profoundly shape Chinese civilisation to this day. The ongoing excavations are also part of China's broader effort to explore the origins of its ancient civilisation. Around the same time of the Dawenkou Culture, multiple early cultures developed across the vast land of China, contributing to a pluralistic yet unified framework that underpins the origins of Chinese civilisation. In the 21st century BC, China's first dynasty – the Xia – was established, whose existence has been confirmed through archaeological findings. Before the Xia Dynasty, the Liangzhu Culture, which emerged in the south, is also believed to have exhibited features of an early state. The Dawenkou Culture represents another prominent example of early social complexity, shedding light on the origins of Chinese civilization. Shan Jixiang, former curator of the Palace Museum, once remarked that the discovery of Dawenkou relics pushes the origins of Chinese civilisation back by 2,000 to 3,000 years. 'The remarkable achievements of ancient Chinese civilisation make people today feel proud,' said Zhang. Photo shows a zun, a type of Chinese ritual ceramic wine vessel with a vase-like form, displayed at the Dawenkou Site Museum in Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province. – Xinhua photo China places great importance on the protection and transmission of its ancient culture. With a history that spans thousands of years, Chinese civilisation represents the unique spiritual identity of the nation, serves as the cultural foundation of contemporary China, and remains a vital link connecting Chinese communities around the world. It is also a rich source of inspiration for cultural innovation, he said. Experts note that the significance of archaeology goes beyond understanding the past; it also holds relevance for modern life. In 2016, the Dawenkou national archaeological site park was established, serving as a base for historical and cultural education as well as youth programmes. The park receives nearly 100,000 visitors annually. 'It is a source of pride to live on the land of our ancestors,' said Zhang Yiqiang, Party secretary of Dawenkou Township. 'The perseverance and creativity of early peoples inspire us to do better.' In recent years, Dawenkou has developed an industrial park and launched pilot projects for high-yield farmland, helping raise local incomes. At the foot of Mount Tai, a company draws inspiration from traditional culture to develop health products made from polygonatum, a traditional Chinese herb. The business of Taishang Polygonatum Biotech Co Ltd has helped lift more than 40,000 farmers out of poverty. 'What our ancestors left us is more than physical nourishment; it is a spiritual and civilisational legacy,' said Wang Qian, the company's executive vice general manager. – Xinhua ancient archaeology China Chinese civilisation Mount Tai Xinhua
The Star
28-05-2025
- The Star
Outcome of Sarawak's Asean Heritage Park nominations to be known in September
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan delivering his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (May 28). KUCHING: Sarawak has nominated the Bako and Bukit Lambir national parks as Asean Heritage Parks, with the outcome expected to be announced soon, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. He said this came after the Niah National Park was successfully inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site last year. "The Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has carried out its assessment and the decision is expected to be known in September," he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (May 28). According to the ACB website, Asean Heritage Parks are protected areas of high conservation importance, preserving a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the Asean region. These areas are established to generate greater awareness, pride, appreciation and conservation of Asean's rich natural heritage and promote greater collaboration among member nations in preserving their natural heritage. Located about 37km from Kuching, Bako National Park is home to a wide range of wildlife and vegetation, including the proboscis monkey. Bukit Lambir National Park near Miri is an ecologically diverse area with numerous plant and insect species as well as the totally protected gibbon, tarsier and clouded leopard. Awang Tengah also said the state is aiming to gain recognition for the Sarawak Delta Geopark as a Unesco Global Geopark Site by next year. "We are now in the final stages of preparing for assessment by Unesco, which is scheduled to take place on June 22-25. "To ensure smooth preparations, two pre-assessment sessions were held in April and May," he said.
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Awang Tengah: Bako, Lambir Hills National Parks nominated as Asean Heritage Parks
Photo shows part of the Bako National Park coastline. – SFC photo KUCHING (May 28): Two national parks in Sarawak have been nominated as Asean Heritage Parks (AHPs) following the successful inscription of Niah National Park as a Unesco World Heritage Site last year, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. He said the two parks are Bako National Park in Kuching and Lambir Hills National Park in Miri. 'An assessment by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has been carried out and the results of this assessment are expected to be known in September 2025,' he told the august House at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today. According to the ACB, AHPs are defined as 'protected areas of high conservation importance, preserving in total a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the Asean region.' These areas are established to generate greater awareness, pride, appreciation, enjoyment and conservation of Asean's rich natural heritage, through a regional network of representative protected areas, and to generate greater collaboration among Asean Member States (AMS) in preserving their shared natural heritage. Bako National Park, which was gazetted as a protected area in 1957, is the oldest national park in Sarawak. It covers 2,742 hectares at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula. Lambir Hills National Park spans 6,949 hectares of naturally formed hilly terrain and is home to around 1,200 species of trees and an equal number of insect species. Awang Tengah, who is Second Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister, also updated the august House on Sarawak's progress in obtaining the Unesco Global Geopark Site recognition for Sarawak Delta Geopark in 2026. 'We are currently in the final stages of preparations for the Unesco assessment scheduled for June 22 to 25, 2025. 'To ensure that all preparations run smoothly, two pre-assessment sessions were conducted in April and May 2025,' he said. Asean Heritage Parks Bako National Park Lambir Hills National Park lead
