Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The J&K government has inked an MoU with the JSW Foundation, a social development arm of Jindal business Group, for restoration of historic Mughal Gardens in Kashmir, but locals and experts said that the Mughal empire architecture should be preserved.
The MoU was signed in June this year and the work for restoration and conservation of the famous Mughal gardens of Shalimar and Nishat Gardens will begin soon.
The MoU was signed by Commissioner Secretary, Floriculture, and JSW Foundation chairperson Sangita Jindal in the presence of J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, an official spokesman of the government said.
The JSW Foundation will assist and support J&K, both financially and technically, in preserving the two heritage gardens under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). "It (JSW) will work under the supervision of government-appointed consultants. We aim to restore these heritage sites to their original structure," said, Javaid Masood, in charge of Mughal Gardens. "We hope to finish the restoration of these two gardens within a year or two," he added.
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The Mughal gardens are located at the bank of the famous Dal Lake in the foothills of the Zabarwan hills in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.
The gardens were built in the 17th century by Mughal kings, Jahangir and Shahjahan. The gardens have attracted tourists from locals to foreigners.
Locals visitors applaud the initiative but want the historic significance of the gardens should be taken care of during restoration.
"Mughals have built these gardens four more than hundred years ago but the walls and stairs have decayed due to lack of preservation measures by the locals government. The restoration is a good step but the architecture should be preserved as it is," Amjid Ahmad, a local visitor told ETV Bharat.
Director INTACH, JK chapter, Saleem Beg told ETV Bharat that the gardens have historical value for Kashmir and preservation of the Mughal architecture should be the priority.
