Sustainable approach towards the conservation of wood in the old structures of Saharanpur U.P.

Abstract

Saharanpur is a commercial district known for its abundant export of woodcrafts nationally as well as internationally in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Geographically, the place lies in the Ganga-Yamuna doab region under the rage of Shivalik hills which makes it abundant in natural resources like wood. Saharanpur, today known as the ‘Wooden city of India’, have been associated with the woodworks since Mughal era. Wood, being an important building material due to its abundance, stands as an integrated part of old structures within the historic core of the city. Woodworks within the heritage structures of Saharanpur defines the character of its roots and the vision it had perceived in the traditional times for the future. Age and climatic changes caused decay in the material which certainly became the cause of destress within the structure. Most of the structural components such as ceiling, beam, column, brackets, doors and window frames are composed of wood. Thus, conservation of wood to avoid further damage in the structure becomes a point of concern. With the rapid urbanization, these structures are either brought down to ruins or replaced with concrete or iron as its primary building material. Therefore, conservation strategies should have a sustainable approach which would balance out the importance of the geographic region as well as the feasibility of the surroundings without compromising the authenticity and integrity of the heritage.