How You Can Help

The basic premise for the initiative Map My Heritage is to harness the potential of millions of Indian citizens for documenting the rich heritage of the country and is firmly grounded on the Article 51A (f) of The Constitution of India 1949 which states that 'it is the duty of every citizen of India to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.' The initiative by virtue of its name is both an assertion and a request on behalf of millions of individuals and communities who cherish their heritage and wish to preserve it and share it with future generations. As a citizen of the country you can contribute to digitally preserving cultural heritage related information on this crowdmap which is powered by the unique Ushahidi platform which has revolutionized the way information is collected through the participation of people and shared with millions of users. 

How does this database work?

This Crowdmap Map My Heritage works on the principle of crowd sourcing relevant information from individuals as well as the World Wide Web and posting it all in real time on a map of the area. Review the map and various reports already filed under many categories, explore various layers of information by clicking the categories on and off and check out the multiple search options available under the "Report" tab and filter information according to your needs. 

How you can help Build this Database?

As an individual you can greatly contribute to building this unique database, the first of its kind, by simply filling in relevant information about a heritage asset through a specially designed form under the tab ‘SUBMIT A REPORT’. Once you click on the tab you will be directed to a form. You can begin filling in the information. The name of the heritage asset has to be filled in the field marked ‘Report Title' ’. Next you can modify the date and time of your submission. Next fill up more information under the fields ‘Categories’, ‘Typology', 'History/Significance', 'Past and Present Usage',  'Ownership Status’, ‘Name of Owner’, ‘Protection Status’, ‘Name of Protecting Agency’. You can also fill in additional information on ‘Problems and Issues’, ‘How to Reach’, ‘Source of Information’and special comments under the field ‘Remarks’. Next you need to mark the location of the heritage asset on a Google earth map. If you key in the name/location of the asset in the field ‘Find Location’ the map will assist in locating the asset on the map. Write the location of the asset in the field ‘Location Name’. If you wish to link information from the World Wide Web you put in the link in the field ‘News Source Link’. If you have some videos that you wish to share their link can be filled in the field ‘External Video Link’. Next you can upload images through the ‘Choose File’ button. Your contributions get duly acknowledged on Map My Heritage if you fill in your name in the field 'Contributor's Name' and you can also add your contact details such as phone number, email in the field 'Contributors Contact Details'. Once you are done you can hit the ‘Submit' button to successfully submit the report. All the fields marked with an asterisk (*) have to be filled for a successful submission of the report. Map My Heritage is a moderated service. This means when you submit a report through the site it may take a little time to become visible on the public listings.

What you can Map?

On the crowdmap Map My Heritage you can map anything that is related to cultural heritage. You can document for posterity any cultural heritage resource by contributing text information, photographs and spatial location of the asset. Cultural Heritage Resource can be any built heritage or tangible asset such as settlements, sites, precincts, buildings, structures, monuments, open spaces, architectural elements and artifacts, natural heritage including culturally significant landscapes, material heritage such as craft or visual art and intangible heritage such as folklore, traditions, language, performing art and traditional knowledge. You can also map walks that can help explore various cultural dimensions of a city, town, neighbourhood or site under heritage walks. There are special categories for reporting problems, heritage at risk and missing heritage. You can also map information about various cultural organizations, research institutions and even profiles of individual researchers (research topics and work areas) conducting research on aspects pertaining to cultural heritage on the crowdmap. 

With your active participation we intend to create a truly comprehensive and encompassing pool of knowledge on cultural heritage. It is our endeavor to constantly improve and expand the database. If there is a category we haven't got covered on Map My Heritage and  you think it should be there feel free to write to us at mapmyheritage@gmail.com. Let us together create a map of our cultural heritage resources. We needs to map what matters to us the most.

Thanks for your interest in our initiative. We value your contribution.