Dehradun: Nestled amidst the picturesque valleys of Uttarakhand's Mussoorie, resides the colossal home of Sir George Everest, the ingenious surveyor who discovered the highest peak in the world - Mt Everest!
Today marks the 229th birth anniversary of the former Surveyor General of India, who had surveyed mountains, valleys rivers and marked them on maps.
George Everest's home has now been converted to a tourist site! It was in the year, 1823 to 1843, that the peaks along the Himalayan regions were marked on the map.
In the year, 1848, The Royal Astronomical Society honoured Sir George Everest for his contribution by naming the highest peak in the world after him.
The Park Estate
Also known as 'The Park Estate', this white-walled building was the home and laboratory of Everest for ten long years.
His home is surrounded by a scenic view of the Doon valley on one side and the Aglar river valley on the other. His home faces the snow-clad Himalayan ranges.
Although it comes under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the house lies in a dilapidated condition today.
Author and Historian Ganesh Saili claimed that people have started to settle down in and around the Everest House.
Saili reminisces about the times during the 1940s when the areas surrounding the Everest House were deserted and one could have a spectacular view of the pristine nature surrounding the house.
Renovation - Need of the Hour
Saili also said that approximately nine Chief Ministers were approached for the renovation of this house. Built-in the year 1832, this house requires immediate attention if the government wants to retain this history of the place that holds significance for Indians and others too.
Notably, the state government tourism department has its possession and is now making efforts to make it a well-known tourist spot in the years to come.
Although there were plans to renovate Everest's property by the state's tourism department, no steps were taken to restore this iconic building.
