Abdul speaks for many in his letter to the Greater Kashmir
(Mr. Abdul Salam Qureshi, 69, was born in Srinagar. He studied at the Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, and completed his B.Sc. in Agriculture and his M.Sc. in Pomology from the University of Jammu & Kashmir. He joined the State service and at his retirement held the position of Director, Project Planning and Monitoring, Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST). He enjoys reading and gardening.)
Who is responsible for the neglect of our heritage?
It has been a practice to organize functions on any historical event or occasion, by holding seminars, lectures, exhibition or walks etc, to justify our otherwise forgotten existence through print and electronic media. Traditionally the world heritage day was also recently observed in serene and cool atmosphere of Pari Mahal garden. When it is a hard fact that state archeological department with its sister central unit has fallen into deep slumber from nineties onwards as the valley was surprisingly overtaken by the turmoil. Nevertheless, we should be thankful to the various armed organizations, which were running the show then, as they did not act like Taliban of Afghanistan, who damaged the world famous Bamiyan heritage site of Lord Buddha, inviting worldwide condemnation.
However, it pains to mention that our own people, residing around the various sites encroached and usurped them either individually or collectively under the garb of some religious and social institutions. The worst hit site of this criminal negligence is the illegal possession of Kalai (fortification) depicting complete insensitiveness and neglect on the part of people of Srinagar city. This historical structure was built by King Akbar on his first visit to Srinagar in 1586-97 around Hari parbat hillock, in order to provide timely succor to the starving people of the city, which was badly damaged due to devastating floods. Major portion of the Kalai have been plundered and even illegally held by the land grabbers patronized by invisible organized land mafia, having support of political goons for petty financial considerations.
The municipal authorities compounded the problem by providing facilities like tiled lanes and drains as well. Paradoxically, PHE and PDD(s) rushed with water and electric connections possibly under pressure from known quarters for vote bank politics. When left unchallenged, the encroachments have been extended up to Malakha (major graveyard) as well. New structures (concrete) have come up on both sides of Kalai including graveyard with tacit support of employees of Muslim Waqf Board. Considering the alarming and appalling condition of the historic kalai and Malakha, the concerned departments (Archeology, Waqf Board, Municipal Corporation, Revenue and Police) should have a pro active policy and move in unison in order to curb and vacate encroachments to save the threatened heritage sites from extinction for our future generations. The illegal possession should be asked for original land records of 1946-47 with allied information, as has been asked by LAWDA authorities from Dal dwellers.
The political organizations can be requested to keep their hands off from this sensitive issue, in order to save our prestigious heritage for present and future generations. The other heritage site, which also demands attention of the government are; Budshah tomb, Pathar Masjid, Grave and house of Mullah Ghani Kashmiri, Martyrs site of 1931 uprising, and gates of Residency (emporium garden).
The gates (royal type) of the emporium garden located at eastern and western side of the residency were built in second half of the 19th century, when official residence cum office was built for British resident stationed in Srinagar. The gates having artistic wood work, design and majestic look need to be listed and saved from further damage.