ASI asks public to adopt monuments on World Heritage Day

Friday, 18 April 2008, 19:30 IST
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Bhopal: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched its 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme here on the occasion of World Heritage Day Friday in a bid to involve the public in conservation of historical monuments. "There are over 50 historical structures in Bhopal alone which need immediate attention. Of them, several structures are neither protected by the ASI nor by the state archaeological department and are thus crumbling away. The idea of the scheme is to involve people in saving these monuments," ASI (Bhopal Circle) Superintendent K.K. Muhammad told IANS. Muhammad said similar steps taken in Agra and Patna have proved to be a boon for conservation of heritage sites. To begin with, two parts of Bhopal's Fatehgarh Fort - on the Moti Masjid and the VIP Road sides - will be put up for adoption as part of a pilot project, he said. Fatehgarh Fort was constructed by Dost Mohammad Khan between 1702-1726 and named after his wife Fateh Bibi since she had chosen the site for its construction. It was an imposing structure with huge ramparts and bastions, but its walls are now crumbling and thick vegetation has covered most of its parts. "As part of the launch of the 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme, today we started cleaning up the weeds and excess vegetation in the fort," said Muhammad. Chemical treatment would be administered after all unwanted plants are uprooted so that they don't grow again, he added. If the pilot project is successful, the ASI will list other unprotected historical gates in the city for adoption.
Source: IANS