ISLAMABAD: The Shah Allah Ditta caves situated at the foot of the Margalla Hills have been receiving more tourists over the last few years but the caves are in a dilapidated condition, creating difficulties for visitors.

The historical caves still contain some of the carvings by Buddhists who lived here which have been damaged due to lack of upkeep. The road leading to the village is also dilapidated and needs to be reconstructed “If developed, the caves can be a good revenue earning site,” said a local, Mohammad Ayub.

Mr Ayub said the people of all faiths would live together in the village at time of the partition.

He added that hundreds of students, researchers and tourists visit the place on the weekends and that more tourists will visit if the condition of the caves is improved.

“It is great living here because it is cold during the summers and warm during winters,” he added.

Most researchers, he said, focus on the mango and banyan trees which were planted during the time of Emperor Sher Shah Suri.

A visitor, Mohammad Yar, who came with his family from Buner said he liked the environment of the village with the birds and the stream running through. A few kiosks and restaurants have also been set up.

“This is part of our cultural and historical heritage and should be maintained properly and preserved,” he said.

Some researchers say Alexander the Great passed through the village on his way from Kabul and that Mughal emperors and Sher Shah Suri passed through it as well while travelling between Afghanistan and India.

An official of the Department of Archaeology and Museums said the Executive Committee of the Prime Minister’s Endowment Fund had approved Rs3.6 million in June this year for the preservation of the caves and for their promotion but the project is yet to be conducted.

The Capital Development Authority was also actively planning on preserving the site and repairing the road leading up to the Shah Allah Ditta caves last year but no solid steps have been taken so far.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2018