Post by L Roebuck on Jun 26, 2006 19:58:27 GMT -5
Soon, fixed zones to protect Caves
Mohan Kumar
Mumbai, June 25: AFTER the Bombay High Court gave directions in April for resolving the problems threatening the city’s ancient cave temples and complexes, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing plans for demarcating the prohibited and regulated zones around these heritage monuments.
‘‘We hope to finish the actual demarcation on the map by the end of this month before the next court hearing on June 28,’’ said ASI Superintendent G S Narasimhan
The high court on April 26 gave the directions, including the demarcation, based on a public interest litigation (PIL) prompted by a series of Newsline reports in March 2004 highlighting the neglect of the ancient cave temples at Mahakali (Andheri), Mandapeshwar and Kanheri (Borivali), Jogeshwari.
A division bench of Chief Justice Kshitij Vyas and Justice D Y Chandrachud, while hearing the PIL filed by non-governmental organisation Janhit Manch, further directed the state government to provide adequate security staff for all the caves within two weeks.
The court also issued a stay order to Milind Realtors, whose building was coming up in the prohibited zone of Jogeshwari caves. The court further directed the stoppage of all constructions within 300 metres of the caves.
‘‘The BMC and the ASI are making progress in implementing the court directions,’’ said Shiraz Rostamji, amaecus curie in the case and member of a High Court-appointed committee for inspecting the caves.
‘‘Until the demarcation of zones is done, the main problem will be curbing encroachments,’’ he added.
According to Narasimhan, the builders have approached the ASI for regularisation of the constructions. ‘‘We will inform the court about this. The court will have the final call on this issue,’’ Narasimhan said.
‘‘We have also issued stop-work notices to all upcoming constructions, including the MIDC flyover, coming within 75 metres of the Mahakali caves,’’ he added.
According to Narasimhan, Jogeshwari is the worst affected, while Mandapeshwar is free of encroachments.
The ASI is also in talks with a pest control body for controlling the infestation of bats inside the caves, besides allocating 60 posts for security personnel for the caves and other monuments in the city.
The caves will be demarcated as per ASI guidelines—100 metres from the caves will be a prohibited area, another 200 metres will be regulated areas.
While constructions within prohibited areas is absolutely illegal, the ASI has the authority to take a decision on any kind of encroachments or constructions in the regulated zones.
mohan.kumar@expressindia.com
Full Article: cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=189907
Mohan Kumar
Mumbai, June 25: AFTER the Bombay High Court gave directions in April for resolving the problems threatening the city’s ancient cave temples and complexes, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing plans for demarcating the prohibited and regulated zones around these heritage monuments.
‘‘We hope to finish the actual demarcation on the map by the end of this month before the next court hearing on June 28,’’ said ASI Superintendent G S Narasimhan
The high court on April 26 gave the directions, including the demarcation, based on a public interest litigation (PIL) prompted by a series of Newsline reports in March 2004 highlighting the neglect of the ancient cave temples at Mahakali (Andheri), Mandapeshwar and Kanheri (Borivali), Jogeshwari.
A division bench of Chief Justice Kshitij Vyas and Justice D Y Chandrachud, while hearing the PIL filed by non-governmental organisation Janhit Manch, further directed the state government to provide adequate security staff for all the caves within two weeks.
The court also issued a stay order to Milind Realtors, whose building was coming up in the prohibited zone of Jogeshwari caves. The court further directed the stoppage of all constructions within 300 metres of the caves.
‘‘The BMC and the ASI are making progress in implementing the court directions,’’ said Shiraz Rostamji, amaecus curie in the case and member of a High Court-appointed committee for inspecting the caves.
‘‘Until the demarcation of zones is done, the main problem will be curbing encroachments,’’ he added.
According to Narasimhan, the builders have approached the ASI for regularisation of the constructions. ‘‘We will inform the court about this. The court will have the final call on this issue,’’ Narasimhan said.
‘‘We have also issued stop-work notices to all upcoming constructions, including the MIDC flyover, coming within 75 metres of the Mahakali caves,’’ he added.
According to Narasimhan, Jogeshwari is the worst affected, while Mandapeshwar is free of encroachments.
The ASI is also in talks with a pest control body for controlling the infestation of bats inside the caves, besides allocating 60 posts for security personnel for the caves and other monuments in the city.
The caves will be demarcated as per ASI guidelines—100 metres from the caves will be a prohibited area, another 200 metres will be regulated areas.
While constructions within prohibited areas is absolutely illegal, the ASI has the authority to take a decision on any kind of encroachments or constructions in the regulated zones.
mohan.kumar@expressindia.com
Full Article: cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=189907