Which term encompasses the overall act of protecting cultural heritage?

The term that encompasses the overall act of protecting cultural heritage is "conservation." Conservation involves a holistic approach to preserving historical sites, artifacts, and traditional practices, ensuring that they are maintained for future generations. This encompasses various activities, including protecting the integrity of physical structures, regulating the conditions in which cultural heritage exists, and implementing measures to prevent deterioration or damage.

While renovation, restoration, and repair all relate to aspects of dealing with physical structures or artifacts, they lack the broader scope that conservation embodies. Renovation typically refers to making improvements or updates to a building, which may or may not respect its historical aspects. Restoration is focused on returning something to its original state, and repair involves fixing specific damages. Conservation, on the other hand, integrates these methods and emphasizes sustainability, ongoing care, and respect for the original context and significance of cultural heritage.