TAXILA: The Punjab Department of Archaeology and Museums has executed a multimillion rupee restoration and preservation project to preserve the Mughal gardens in Wah from further decay.

The project, which cost Rs35 million, is the largest ever executed at the site.

Conservation assistant and site in-charge Abid Ali said the project included the restoration of the collapsed roof, floor and stairs of a centuries-old baradari, as well as the construction of a boundary wall around the garden, pitching around the main tank, the removal of wild growth from the main tank and two smaller tanks, the construction of walkways and the installation of a steel grill around the main baradari structure to protect it.

“An iron grill has been placed around the main structure, as local visitors graffitied the centuries-old walls and also damaged it by trespassing,” he said.

He added that the grill was also needed to keep out wild animals that used the structure as shelter during the rain.

The roof and flooring of the main structure was carried out in the original architectural style, he said.

“The restoration work has given a new and splendid look to the Mughal gardens, as the decaying building was giving a bad impression of the state of cultural heritage in the country,” said historian and writer Malik Uster.

He added that no attention was given to the site in the past, which would be a major tourism destination if seating, picnicking and boating facilities were provided there.

Historian and art enthusiast Malik Tahir Suleman also highlighted the need for facilities such as benches around the main tank and garden, and seating areas around the garden for picnickers.

Department of Archaeology and Museums Deputy Director Irshad Hussain has said that the department has taken a number of steps to preserve and restore ancient sites in the area.

He said various projects would be executed during the next fiscal year to restore and preserve sites and provide tourism facilities.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2018