The Cabinet gave its clearance for the Rs. 140-crore Muziris Cultural Heritage Conservation Project on Wednesday.
Briefing the media here, Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan said project aimed at preservation and restoration of heritage sites spread over a large area in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala. They were the oldest heritage sites in the State (linked to ancient port of Muziris) that carry many remnants of the past.
The Chief Minister said that the Centre would provide 50 per cent of the project cost.
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An official release said that the Project would be carried out with the participation of the locals self governments, government departments and institutions such as National Traffic Planning and Automation Cente and Kerala Council for Historical Research. The project would cover Vadakkan paravoor, Chendamangalam, Chittattinkara, Vadakekara and Pallippuram in Ernakulam district and Kodungallur, Mathilakam, SN Puram, Eriyad and Methala in Thrissur district.
Several historic monuments and buildings such as the Kottappuram kotta, Synagogue at Paravoor, Paliayam Dutch Palace, Paliyam Nalukettu, Pallipuram Kotta, Vypinkotta seminary, House of Abdul Rahiman Sahib, Kottayil Kovilakam, Kodungallur Bhagavathi temple, Cheraman Juma Masjid, Cheraman Parambu, Synagogue at Chennappally, Thiurvanchikulam Mahadeva temple, Keezhthali Siva temple, and old research centres at Pattanam and Kottapuram would be protected under the Project. Besides, basic infrastructure such as roads, waterways and boat jetties in the area would be improved.
The release said that several museums would also be set up as part of the Project. These would include a historic museum related to the independence struggle, historic museums dealing with Syrian Christian and Islamic heritage, museum of Kerala literature, military museum, site museum at Pattanam and a maritime museum.
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A committee headed by the Minister for Tourism would oversee the implementation of the Project.