National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property

, in 1987 and simultaneously opening its regional laboratory at Mysore. Since its inception, the laboratory has engaged in a program of scientific research, training activities, documentation, and with dissemination of information through , conferences, workshops and international cooperation. In addition, the laboratory has carried out many national field projects as well as international ones at Maldivesto advanced conservation practice.

and control, stone and building materials conservation, metal and paper conservation.

Temples (World Heritage Monument) taken for the study as a first case, brushing the stone surface with one per cent solution of three biocides namely, AG 2006016, WOSCOSEN 15TK and IMAZALIL- 500EC found very effective in controlling algal growth. It was also observed that the stone samples coated with SMK 1311 and BS -290 polymers were resistance to algal attack. Need to find out alternative to commonly used corrosion inhibitor, BTA () for copper and lead objects has been felt as it is reported as carcinogenic. NRLC initiated work in this direction and evaluated number of similar type of non-carcinogenic compounds and the results are quite encouraging. The need of replacing OPP (), the commonly fungicide in starch paste was felt because of its ineffectiveness in too humid climate as well as high cost and takes a long time in procurement. On conducting laboratory tests and field trials, chloride, easily available and much cheaper than that of OPP, in 1-2 % in water or alcohol was found suitable. In another study on use of traditional materials in conservation, Menthol (peppermint), a natural plant extracts of species was found very effective against museum fungi and pests.

University to be taken for exhibitions abroad.

University, Kolkata, Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai and Roerich works at ArtGallery( Ravi Roerich Board) Bangalore. Similarly, the previous project works on the collections of Governor’s House, and Governor’s House, Sikkim, were completed. , UP, where a team of conservators carried out conservation under CCTV camera. Conservators of this laboratory carried out successfully the difficult and challenging task of transferring of wall paintings from dilapidated structure at , and brought to NRLC for conservation treatment and the paintings will be taken back to the after treatment.