CONSERVATION WORKS WITH
THE COST OF RS. 10 CRORE TO BE TAKEN
UP AT JAISALMER FORT
The Ministry
of Tourism & Culture has planned massive conservation work
for Jaisalmer Fort with a cost of Rs.10 crores. A MoU with World
Monuments Fund, New York was signed today to mobilise fund for
the project in the presence of the Minister of Tourism and Culture,
Shri Jagmohan and Technical Director, Mr. Mark Weber. The World
Monument Fund will provide Rs.2.5 crore while Ministry of Tourism
& Culture will give Rs.5 crores besides an amount of Rs.2
crore already released for the project by it.
Speaking
on the occasion, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan,
said that his Ministry is working on number of projects to present
glorified picture of our ancient civilization and heritage. Tourism
and cultural hubs are being developed at 34 sites in the country,
which include Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Hampi in Karnataka,
Ajanta & Ellora in Maharashtra, Chittorgarh, Kumbalgarh and
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Massive work is already going on these
sites and the Ministry would spend about Rs.300 crores on the
development of these hubs. Within one or two years number of such
hubs will be fully developed, Shri Jagmohan added.
Expressing
concern over present state of Jaisalmer Fort, Shri Jagmohan said
that it had suffered damage due to excessive water intrusion.
He said that the Fort being a monument of national importance
efforts would be made to restore its glory. Total Rs.10 crore
will be spent by the Ministry including Rs.2.5 crores provided
by the World Monuments Fund.
The
MoU signed among World Monuments Fund, Archeological Survey of
India and National Cultural Fund ensures implementation of conservation
project in two phases. During the first phase, assessment of ongoing
work will be made, archival research and geo-technical and hydro-geological
studies will be undertaken to assess damage. In second phase,
required conservation work will be taken up which will include
water outlets, pitching walls and other work. The project is expected
to be completed within one-and-a-half years. Jaisalmer Fort is
one of the greatest architectural treasures of India and indeed
the world, founded in 1156 by the Rajput prince Rawal Jaisal.
Jaisalmer Fort is known Colloquially as Sonar Kila, or the Golden
Fort, after its luminous golden sandstone.
