Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 26: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla today laid stress on the restoration of all heritage sites of the State to their original form by adopting scientific methods and involvement of highly skilled and expert man power.
“The past glory of historical places in three regions of the State can be restored by use of the original material – ‘Chunna-Surkhi’- and the involvement of agencies have achieved expertise in the field” , the Minister said while addressing a high level meeting of officers at Civil Secretariat, here today.
Former Minister and Chairman, Dogra Heritage Society (DHS), Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, District Development Commissioner, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Vice Chairman Jammu Development Authority (JDA) Satesh Nehru, Superintending Engineer JDA P L Bhushan, Consultant Tourism and Culture K A Qadri, Vice President DHA Y V Sharma besides its other representatives were present in the meeting.
Mr. Bhalla informed that Government has identified 28 heritage sites of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions for preservation and conservation including Heritage Building Poonch House at Talab Tilloo, Gole Garh at Hazuri Bagh, GGM Science College, SRML Higher Secondary School, Jandi Fort at Hiranagar, Shri Raghunath Ji temple at Suchetgarh, Old Railway Station at R. S Pura, Moti Mahal, Poonch, Historic Fort Complex at Bhaderwah, Historic Fort Kaleth in Akhnoor, Old School, Satwari, Cheshma Shahi Mughal Garden, Shalimar Mughal Garden, Nishat Mughal Garden, Achabal Mughal Garden, Heritage Stone building at Old Sectt. Srinagar, Heritage Building Amar Singh College, Srinagar, Heritage Building SP College Srinagar, Heritage Building Govt. Women College Moulana Azad Road Srinagar, Historic Mosque Aali Masjid, SPS Museum, Heritage House Abi Guzar at Srinagar besides Historic Shah-i-Hamdan Mosque at Shey Leh, First Nunnery in Ladakh, Nyerma Thiksay in Leh, Rock Carving of 5-dyani Buddhas, Shey Leh, Rock carving statue of 5-dyani Buddhasm Padam Zanaskar, Ladakh and Cave temple at Saspol in Leh.
The Minister said that the detailed project report for their renovation has been prepared by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and submitted to Central Government for funding. He said immediately after release of funds, the renovation work of the identified heritage sites would be started.
Mr. Bhalla said Government has framed both short term and long term measures to restore the heritage sites in three regions of the State to restore their original glory. He informed that Government has also arranged a National Level Workshop of experts for conservation, geological, structural, environmental and civil engineering works for proposed renovation projects and its use of material on heritage sites.
The Minister said that it was endeavor of the Government to preserve the State’s rich culture and heritage for the coming generations as well as visitors from different parts of the globe, adding that State has rich treasure of heritage which needs to be preserved in a scientific way. He said Government has taken several measures to preserve all the ancient historic sites and monuments which are centuries old and showcase the rich civilization of the Jammu and Kashmir State.
The Minister informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 69.50 lakh for restoration of outer Bahu fort wall, watch towers, restoration of royal residential portion, restoration of 2-water tanks, installation of floating fountain in main water tank, removal of thick layer of paint at the entrance, removal of illegal structures, ramp along inner side of fort wall, landscaping within Mahakali temple adding that the projects are under progress on war-footing and are all set to be completed within stipulated time frame.
Responding to the demand of representatives of DHDS, Mr. Bhalla asked District Development Commissioner to remove illegal structures constructed by some local in and around the Maha Kali Temple at Bahu Fort, adding that such practices are creating nuisance to the lakhs of pilgrims visiting the shrine.
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