NO PROTECTION IN BUFFER ZONE

  • 21/07/2008

  • Times Of India (New Delhi)

While the tomb of Humayaun has been restored to its former glory, two other Mughal-era structures located right next to it lie in a state of disrepair. Keen to repair them, the ASI is now waiting for SC to deliver its verdict on the land that is now with the Scouts Richi Verma | TNN The massive beautification and restoration work in Humayun's Tomb complex is in stark contrast to the silent neglect of two centrally protected monuments, just metres away. Located in a complex allotted to Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG), the Bada Bateshewala Mahal and Chote Bateshewala Mahal date to the early Mughal period and their original wall enclosures make them historically and archaeologically important. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is keen to develop the land since it is within the buffer zone of Humayun's Tomb, a world heritage site, but it has no claim over the area as it had been allotted to BSG by Union ministry of urban development in 1964. Citing a Unesco guideline, a senior ASI official said: