SAFEGUARDING CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE: COMPARATIVE STUDY FOR ESTABLISHING CONSERVATION INITIATIVES ON INDRAPATRA FORT, ACEH BESAR

Abstract

The Indrapatra Fort cultural heritage site located in the coastal area of Aceh Besar, Indonesia is a relic of Hindu influence. The condition of the fort is decreasing, so that it has a negative impact on securing this cultural heritage site. The lack of a maintenance strategy, continued neglect, and insufficient preservation work by the relevant government conservation agencies have resulted in almost no conservation initiatives for the fort. This paper attempts to establish appropriate conservation initiatives for fort security. This was carried out based on a qualitative approach with a comparative study of local cultural heritage conservation initiatives at Borobudur Temple and Fort Rotterdam. Primary and secondary data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods, providing recommendations for initiatives to preserve Indrapatra Fort that could be implemented practically through tangible and intangible aspects. Tangible initiatives are the reconstruction of damaged fortification structures and elements with similar materials, combined with a sound maintenance strategy. Meanwhile, intangible initiatives include performing arts, annual festivals and providing guides.