PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to start work on 10 archeological protection and restoration projects during the upcoming financial year, official sources revealed.
Shalamar Bagh, Taxila Museum, Rohtas Fort, Lahore Fort Museums are on the list for restoration work.
Basic amenities and facilities would be added to attract tourists to the historically rich and important sites across the province.
Horticulture and Tourism Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister, Asif Mehmood, recently visited the centuries-old Shalamar Bagh in Lahore and reviewed the ongoing restoration work.
Pakistan's 6 UNESCO world heritage sites
These days the third tier of Shalamar Bagh is being redecorated with traditional mosaic tiles and restored at various places.
Some parts of the western wall of the first tier have also been repaired to restore lost beauty. The tourism advisor said that promotion of tourism through the restoration of important and eye-catching archeological sites is his mission.
“Tourists are often attracted towards aged beautiful architecture and persona of historical places across the world therefore we are aiming to attract tourists through restoration of the lost glory of these magnificent structures,” he explained.
In the financial year 2020-2021, the authorities have decided to restore and renovate 10 important historical places including Shalamar Bagh, he added.
Speaking to The Express tribune Asif said that the tourism department has also planned to set up information counters at all the aforementioned historic sites.
PHA declares four parks as heritage sites
In a bid to attract visitors, storytelling events will be organised at Shalamar Bagh during which guards in Mughal-era attire would greet the guests. Tourists will be also allowed to snap photographs with these guards.
Director of Punjab Archaeology Department Malik Maqsood highlighted that Shalamar Bagh flaunts the beauty and grace of Mughal era architecture.
“Shalamar Bagh built by Emperor Shah Jahan is so unique that it was declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1981,” the director added.
He said the department of archeology is developing a special programme for tourists visiting the Mughal garden.
A Gallup survey had deemed 16th century Shalamar Bagh as the second most popular tourist destination in Lahore.
The earthly Eden was built by Shah Jahan in 1642. The three portions of the garden were named Farah Bakhsh (joy instilling), Faiz Bakhsh (beneficial), and Hayat Bakhsh (life-giving).
The rectangular edifice, which is surrounded by a high brick wall, houses 410 fountains, five waterfalls, an assortment of trees and several resting areas.
The Orange Line project had put the historic site in danger of expulsion from the World Heritage List. However, the 43rd meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Baku decided to maintain the status of the garden as a world heritage site.
300 buildings in District South added to heritage list
Punjab Tourism Minister Raja Yasir Humayun had convinced the committee that immediate measures would be taken to restore the monument.
The interest of the government has been quite obvious in the past few months as the restoration work of the famous Chauburji is nearing completion. Reportedly, the revamping project will be completed this year.
The Lahore Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has also planted a resplendent park around the Chauburji building under the same project.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2020.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ