China's
breakneck development over the past 25 years has undoubtedly brought huge
benefits to large swathes of its population. However, it is also widely
recognized that this has been accompanied by major environmental problems, widespread
property dispossession at the behest of developers and frequent disregard for
the country's architectural and cultural heritage.
CNN's recent report on the magnitude of the challenges
facing China in
this regard is telling. Among the sad facts shared with readers is the
destruction of 1,000 acres of historic alleys and courtyard homes in Beijing
since 1990, the loss of one-third of the Great Wall of China due to natural erosion
and wilful destruction, and the loss of almost one million villages across
China to frenetic (and still continuing) urbanization.
On the positive side of the ledge, China's
growing prosperity and emerging middle classes have in recent years led to a
growing focus on preservation and conservation. While the approaches taken to
preservation may not always adhere to international best practices, the efforts
are nonetheless welcome.
The restoration of Yungang Grottoes, a world heritagesite in Shanxi Province in the north of the country is a positive example of
the new mindset. According to Xinhua, the recently completed restoration project, which began in
2012, included efforts to slow down or stop water erosion, a major problem for
the site, and establish visitor facilities to balance access with protection of
the amazing cave paintings more than 50,000 statues of the Buddha dating back to
the 5th and 6th centuries CE. I can't wait to pay a visit!
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