Telangana HC underlines need for conserving historical monuments

The HC panel was hearing a writ plea and a PIL on conservation, restoration and protection of the monuments across the State

Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B Vijaysen Reddy underlined the importance of national heritage monuments in Telangana. A Re-Development Committee was previously constituted to look at the 27 monuments in and around Hyderabad and also consider the recommendation granted in favour of Aditya Homes Pvt Ltd by the National Monument Authority within the vicinity of the Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs.

The panel is hearing a writ plea and a PIL on conservation, restoration and protection of the monuments across the State. The State government sought additional time for filing considering the suggestions of the Redevelopment Committee. The panel voiced concern over dwelling houses near the Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs and sensitised the authorities saying that the land was part of UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites and has huge value and recognition.

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The panel is dealing with a PIL filed by Omim Maneckshaw Debara and Azam Khan seeking a direction that both the Golconda and Qutub Shahi Tombs be considered as a single heritage unit as per the Tentative List. Simultaneously, the Panel is also dealing with a letter to protect 27 named monuments as part of National Heritage. The Re-Development Committee constituted to look at the 27 monuments in and around Hyderabad and also consider the recommendation granted in favour Aditya Homes Builders and Developers.

The Panel is hearing a writ plea and a PIL on conservation, restoration and protection of the monuments across the State. The State government sought additional time for filing considering the suggestions of the Re-Development Committee. The Panel voiced concern on dwelling houses near the Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs and sensitized the authorities saying that the land was part of UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites and has huge value and recognition.

‘Build infra around Ramappa Temple’

The same panel on Wednesday directed the Ministry of Archaeology & Museums and Archaeological Survey of India to build infrastructure around the Ramappa Temple that was recently inscribed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and build it to the level that is expected. The petition had been taken up by the court to lay down milestones for completing in time for the World Heritage Committee.

The bench instructed the all Respondents to work in tandem with the government authorities and give it their best shot without an issues. The Panel directed the parties to appoint a nodal officer who shall be the Superintendent of Archaeological Survey of India, and produce a comprehensive execution plan with milestones by December 2021, in time for the World Heritage Committee.

The first meeting shall be convened on August 4. Regular meetings after a joint survey of the area must be undertaken by the concerned officer. The Panel while addressing the matter observed that this tag puts the Iconic Ramappa temple and the State of Telangana on an international map. Adding further, the Panel stated that the admission of this matter is not adversarial but that the court wants to monitor the parties.

The bench opined that this is a golden opportunity, and asked the parties to work with alacrity. The work that the parties do is under the lens of not just the court, but the whole nation and if the job is not done well the whole country will blame you, as citizens concerned with preserving the heritage of this country. The matter has been adjourned to August 24 for further hearing.

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