‘Constitute cell to preserve ‘unprotected’ structures’

LUCKNOW: Caught in a ‘cobweb’ of encroachments, the iconic Gol Darwaza in Chowk is not the lone unprotected structure lying in neglect. The city has over 350 heritage structures that neither come under the UP State Archaeological Department (UPSAD) nor figure on the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) list of protected monuments.

At a time when the government is leaving no stone unturned to boost tourism in the state, these heritage structures are in need of attention.

Historians and heritage enthusiasts say these structures will soon be lost into oblivion, if efforts are not made to preserve them.

“It’s now or never. The unprotected structures are lying in utter neglect. The government should constitute a cell to preserve structures that don’t figure on any protected list,” said S Haider, heritage activist, who has approached the state government, demanding implementation of heritage bylaws and constitution of a body to keep a check on misuse of unprotected heritage structures.

Citing an example of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation that has constituted a heritage cell to ensure maintenance of unprotected monuments there, he said a similar initiative could be reciprocated in Lucknow.

He said the AMC had constituted a heritage cell in 1996 to ensure preservation of all unprotected heritage sites. “Out of 10,000 heritage sites, the city has around 54 ASI protected and three state protected monuments. AMC ensures the maintenance

THE CITY HAS OVER 350 HERITAGE STRUCTURES THAT NEITHER COME UNDER THE UPSAD NOR FIGURE ON THE ASI’S LIST OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS

and repairs of heritage buildings,” he said.

If historians are to be believed, the city has more than 350 heritage structures, including palatial mansions, maqbaras, gardens and gateways that lie neglected. “The government should come forward to preserve these structures and constitute a body to keep encroachers at bay,” said Roshan Taqi, acclaimed historian. Musabagh, Clock Tower, Maqbara of Hakeem Mehndi, Misra Bandhuo ki Haveli, Butler Palace, Rifa-e-Aam Club, Imambada of Abu Talib Khan, the first Imambada of Lucknow, Jawahar Ali Khan house and gateway, Gol Darwaza and Qadam Rasool are a few to name, he said.

Apart from the unprotected monuments, the city has around 59 heritage structures that are on the protection list of ASI while around 15 monuments are on the protection of UPSAD. ASI officials said monuments in the state capital attained the ‘protected’ status in 1919 and 1920, but after that the list was never revised.

The LMC hailed the suggestion of constituting a heritage cell. “It’s a good idea, which could be replicated in Lucknow. But here, we don’t have any such provision under the Municipal Corporation Act. We will see what best can be done,” said Sanyukta Bhatia, mayor.