AR-501 Thesis | 16BAR004

Topic - Development of George Everest Heritage Park, Mussoorie

Project Introduction

The project has been proposed in view of its historic significance and its association with the history of the scholars
who relentlessly did their jobs of measuring, mapping, calculation the actual dimensions of the Indian Subcontinent
and also the Himalayan Ranges. It was in this site where Sir George Everest first calculated the height of a mountain
– that was highest in the world. Later it was named after him.

Need of the study

Built in 1832, Sir George Everest's House and Laboratory, also known as Park Estate, is a popular heritage site. This
popular house was from where Sir George Everest helped the British measure the height of the world’s greatest
peak, Mt Everest. For his contribution, the peak that was earlier called Peak XV, was named after him. The location
of the house is strategic and at the time of Sir Everest, it was used as an observatory to view mountains that
demarcated the boundaries of British India. Today, the house is being maintained by the government of Uttarakhand
and is open to tourists all year round. From here, one can get a spectacular view of the Doon Valley and the
Himalayas. It is located at a distance of about 8 km from Mussoorie.
The existing structures, Sir George Everest House and Observatory, have been abandoned for a long time and are in
need of immediate attention since they are a part of the history that involves preparation of maps for Indian
Subcontinent. This project will generate employment while helping de-congest the main city areas. It balances the
development needs of a unique destination for different market segments and forges a link with community-driven
tourism based on nature, culture, adventure and eco-tourism resources and structured to meet future international
and domestic market demands in this region.

Aim of the study

This study aims at renovation/restoration of the existing structure (i.e. George Everest house, observatory,
bachelor’s room, out house) while designing some new structure such as a Stargazing Resort, Stargazing Dome,
Open Air Theatre, Cartographic Museum.

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AR-501 Thesis | 16BAR004

Photos of Site

The Park estate is situated about 6kms from

Gandhi chowk in Mussoorie and is one of the
tourist attraction in Mussoorie which is
secluded and peaceful. It offers spectacular
view of the snow clad mountain peaks in the
north and in the south a panoramic view of
the Doon valley.

The site is located on the ridge situated at an

altitude of 2,286 m above the sea level.

The existing structure in the site are George

Everest house, an Observatory, A Bachelor’s
room and an Outhouse which are all shown
in the photos below

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AR-501 Thesis | 16BAR004

Expected design intervention

 Adaptive reuse of George Everest house, observatory, out house and bachelor’s room
 To establish a museum where visitors can know more about Cartography.
 To establish a museum to showcase the lifestyle of Colonel Sir George Everest.
 Development of Open Air Theater.
 Development of Star gazing Eco resort.
 Development of adventure trek route.
 Development of stargazing decks/viewpoints/selfie points.
 Development of a ropeway system.

Objective

 All the design on the site will respect the natural contours of the site, Changes in the natural contours will
be kept to a minimum.
 Study will be done to find the Eco sensitive zones in the site and designing shall be done accordingly.
 All the old existing structure would be preserved because of their historic importance.
 While designing, no flora or fauna will be disturbed in or around the site.
 Vernacular design elements will be used so that the structure blends with the surrounding.

Project Justification

The proposed subproject “Development of George Everest Heritage Park” offers to protect, sustainably develop and
reconnect people to the rich historic, scientific resources of Indian History. It aims to achieve the following
objectives

To remove the current imbalance in the benefits of tourism resulting from concentration of tourism in main and
overcrowded hill town of Mussoorie in Uttarakhand and lack of mechanisms to push tourism towards asset-rich but
less explored locales, such as the Park Estate

This project will give impetus to experimental tourism in Mussoorie, generating employment while helping de-
congest the main city areas. It balances the development needs of a unique destination for different market segments
and forges a link with community-driven tourism based on nature, culture, adventure and eco-tourism resources and
structured to meet future international and domestic market demands in this region

Scope

This study covers designing of heritage park which will conserve the history associated with the measuring,
mapping, calculation the actual dimensions of the Indian Subcontinent. The resort, trek and viewpoints will create
tourism opportunities.

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AR-501 Thesis | 16BAR004

Methodology

Following are the methods by which data will be collected during the process of designing.
Primary Source
 Site Visits
 Interviews
 Photographs
 Case studies
Secondary Sources
 Internet
 Articles
 Newspaper
 Journals
 Dissertations
 books

Limitation

 The study only coves the designing of the heritage park.

 Due to current scenario of coronavirus, there may be some difficulty in collection of Primary data.

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Site and Key plan

( Site-Park Estate, Mussoorie )

Snowfall Max Rainfall Climate Min Temp. Max Temp.

Dec_ Feb 2167mm Warm & Temperate -2°C 29°C

SITE DETAILS

Location Khanij Nagar, Mussorie Range,

Area Uttarakhand, 248179.
Altitude 9.25 hectare.
Seismic zone
2286 meter from sea level.
Zone V

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Government proposal

Link https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Loan-3223-UK-IDIPT-IEE-George-Everest-
22-dec.pdf

Case Studies

Museums
 -

Resorts
 The Kumaon, Almora
 Shakti Kumaon, Bageshwar
 The Birdcage Mukteshwar

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