We’re Making Continuous Efforts To Restore Glory Of Heritage Places: LG
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jindal South-West (JSW) Foundation for restoration and conservation of two major Mughal Gardens Shalimar and Nishat in this capital city.
The MoU was signed by Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, Commissioner/Secretary, Floriculture, gardens and parks, and Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, JSW Foundation in presence of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha at the Civil Secretariat here on Wednesday, an official spokesperson said.
As part of this commitment, he said, JSW Foundation led by its Chairperson will assist and support J&K government, both financially and technically in preserving the two heritage gardens under CSR.
The project will be taken up in two phases. The estimated cost of the conservation/restoration project of Nishat garden is Rs 7 crores. A similar project is envisaged for the Shalimar garden also.
Speaking on the occasion, the LG termed the signing of MoU as a new beginning in the conservation of the historic sites which are the hallmarks of J&K’s rich cultural heritage legacy.
“We are making continuous efforts to restore the ancient glory of UT’s heritage places and propose them for inclusion in World Heritage sites,” Sinha said, as per official spokesperson.
The LG, he said, noted that the preservation of ecology and cultural heritage, along with growth in the industrial sector are key components of sustainable development.
“The government is giving much-needed impetus to integrate the promotion of cultural heritage in UT’s development plan in order to connect the people from across the world with the glorious history of J&K,” the official spokesperson quoted LG as saying.
He further said that the LG advised the concerned executive agencies to work in close coordination with all stakeholders and have an in-depth understanding of the historic facts and cultural significance while restoring the pristine glory of these heritage gardens.
With its technical expertise, the support of the JSW foundation will provide a determined push to the conservation work of the heritage gardens.
According to the official spokesperson, the LG also underscored the major interventions made by the Government to promote and preserve cultural heritage of Jammu division with an aim to increase the tourist inflow in the region.
“We are working on developing prominent pilgrimage shrines like Shiv Khori, besides a Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is also coming up in Jammu, which will give a major push to tourism sector and at the same time, boost the economy of the region,” Sinha said, as per the official spokesperson.
JSW Foundation has already conducted a study for conservation and restoration of Shiv Khori heritage site in Reasi, it was informed.
The official spokesperson further said that the LG directed the Floriculture Department to work out a plan to organize a mega-tulip festival in Jammu division also to attract potential tourists from across the globe. The LG, he said, also directed the officials of the Floriculture department to work in coordination with the forest department for development and preservation of Chaar Chinar in world-famous Dal lake.
Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, JSW Foundation also shared the action plan for the execution of the restoration project.
As per the official spokesperson it was informed that the project for restoration and conservation of Shalimar and Nishat gardens will be monitored by the project monitoring committee, headed by the Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Department of Floriculture Gardens and Parks.
“A coordination team for implementation of the project will be appointed to oversee and monitor the work, establish standards and benchmarks as well protocols for the conservation and maintenance of these gardens,” he added.
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