Shalimar Gardens base eroding with rain water

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Ground level declining, murals being damaged
* Shalimar Town TMO says ground adjacent to monument is private property
* Archaeology DG says drain to be constructed to divert rain water

By Afnan Khan

LAHORE: The deteriorating boundary walls and the declining ground level of the historic Shalimar Gardens need the urgent attention of authorities before the rain water accumulating in the base of the gardens causes irrevocable loss.

The deterioration of walls and the falling ground level are the result of the construction of residential and commercial colonies around the garden over the past century. The accumulation of rain water has not only damaged the boundary walls and some of the structures inside the complex, but has also ruined the art work created by Mughal artists in the form of murals on the outer and inner walls. However, some of the art on the wall still survives, and can be preserved from further damage. The Punjab government has recently spent Rs 300 million for the conservation of the Shalimar Gardens. The project included repair and renovation of the eastern and western gates and the shahi hamam (royal baths) of the garden. This three-year project was part of a larger eight-year project being run with the cooperation of UNESCO and the Getty Foundation. Information about the project to restore and renovate the Shalimar Gardens, obtained by Daily Times, reveals that the Grand Trunk Road, passing only a few feet near the historical garden, is also considered an encroachment. The project detail also states that the vibrations and pollution caused by vehicular traffic close to the monument also contributes to the deterioration of the garden’s condition. A large number of houses and a market are situated near the walls of the garden. The Shalimar Gardens are one of the World Heritage sites declared by UNESCO. According to UNESCO guidelines, no building or structure can be built within 200 feet of the boundary of a historical monument. The Supreme Court has already issued instructions to the provincial and federal archaeology departments to remove all encroachments that are destroying the beauty of historical sites. According to the details of the restoration project, the GT Road, which passes nearby, will be diverted, and all encroachments within 200 feet of the boundary wall will be removed in the next five years. Former Punjab Archaeology Department (PAD) director general (DG) Oriya Maqbool Jaan told Daily Times that the presence of accumulated water in the base of the boundary wall and the lack of maintenance outside the monument were the two most critical issues. He said he had released Rs 40 million to the department concerned in 2006, realising the necessity of building a drain around the boundary walls of the monument in order to divert the rain water. He said he had also issued instructions for repairing the outer wall of the monument, but his instructions were not carried out.

Private property: Shalimar Town Municipal Officer (TMO) Malik Tariq told Daily Times that the town administration had already ensured the removal of encroachments around the monument. He said the huge ground adjacent to the front wall of the gardens was private property, and the owner organised various stalls and businesses on that ground. He said the authorities did not have any legal right to stop him. PAD DG Shahbaz Khan confirmed that the Shalimar Gardens conservation project will be completed in five years. He said all the encroachments in the area, including the GT Road, will be removed.

Drain: He said the government will construct a nullah around the garden, and all stagnant water accumulated in the drain would be diverted to the dry canal nearby to save the historical structure.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...09_pg13_10