Post by L Roebuck on Aug 17, 2006 7:34:51 GMT -5
ASI takes over ancient caves in Mumbai
MUMBAI: In a major exercise, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has finished demarcating the prohibited and regulated zone around four ancient caves in the city - Mahakali, Kanheri, Jogeshwari and Mandapeshwar.
Conservationists and activists say this could be the first step towards protecting and conserving the much neglected monuments that date back to fifth century BC.
In an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court, on whose orders the demarcation was done, ASI also proposed to depute around 90 security personnel to guard the sites.
"The demarcation of zones is an important stepping stone for protecting the caves from rampant encroachments and for drawing up plans to preserve them," said activist Bhagwanji Rayani, who filed the public interest litigation in the high court for the protection of the caves.
A 1992 notification prohibits any construction in the prohibited zone of 100 metres around ancient monuments, while a further 200 metres is designated as 'regulated zone', where development is permitted only after the ASI's approval.
Encroachments are the bane of caves. Kanheri, located in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is relatively well protected along with the Mahakali caves at Andheri.
The worst of the lot are the Jogeshwari and Mandapeshwar caves. A legal dispute is pending in relation to the Mandapeshwar caves, where Portuguese priests had built a chapel.
In its report, the ASI has mentioned encroachments such as slums and new constructions around Jogeshwari caves. A division bench of justice R M Lodha and justice N H Patil has issued notices to Milind Realtors and four other builders who are building multi-storey buildings near the caves. Notices have also been issued to stop work.
The court has asked the ASI to consider its Ahmedabad guidelines for protection of the caves. The guidelines, which were formulated in the 1990s had suggested regularisation of existing construction in the prohibited and regulated zones if they do not harm the monuments.
Article
MUMBAI: In a major exercise, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has finished demarcating the prohibited and regulated zone around four ancient caves in the city - Mahakali, Kanheri, Jogeshwari and Mandapeshwar.
Conservationists and activists say this could be the first step towards protecting and conserving the much neglected monuments that date back to fifth century BC.
In an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court, on whose orders the demarcation was done, ASI also proposed to depute around 90 security personnel to guard the sites.
"The demarcation of zones is an important stepping stone for protecting the caves from rampant encroachments and for drawing up plans to preserve them," said activist Bhagwanji Rayani, who filed the public interest litigation in the high court for the protection of the caves.
A 1992 notification prohibits any construction in the prohibited zone of 100 metres around ancient monuments, while a further 200 metres is designated as 'regulated zone', where development is permitted only after the ASI's approval.
Encroachments are the bane of caves. Kanheri, located in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is relatively well protected along with the Mahakali caves at Andheri.
The worst of the lot are the Jogeshwari and Mandapeshwar caves. A legal dispute is pending in relation to the Mandapeshwar caves, where Portuguese priests had built a chapel.
In its report, the ASI has mentioned encroachments such as slums and new constructions around Jogeshwari caves. A division bench of justice R M Lodha and justice N H Patil has issued notices to Milind Realtors and four other builders who are building multi-storey buildings near the caves. Notices have also been issued to stop work.
The court has asked the ASI to consider its Ahmedabad guidelines for protection of the caves. The guidelines, which were formulated in the 1990s had suggested regularisation of existing construction in the prohibited and regulated zones if they do not harm the monuments.
Article