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Preservation of heritage a national duty: Omar

GNS JAMMU, :Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that preservation of heritage is the national duty and all are equal stakeholders in this stupendous task. He said the departments and agencies entrusted with this job have all the more important responsibility to shoulder.
“Jammu and Kashmir is abode of rich cultural diversity and heritage mosaic”, he said laying stress on its preservation and showcasing at national and international levels. He said that a comprehensive strategy and active public participation is imperative in this regard. “This novelty of the State could be utilized in generating wide-ranging economic activities by roping in tourists, historians, students and others”, he added.
Inspecting the work of conservation and restoration project for Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex here, the Chief Minister said that the State Government with Central assistance is working on various initiatives in the State to protect and restore the heritage glory of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions. “Various schemes are in place to preserve this ‘speciality in diversity’ and make the State an important centre of heritage tourism”, he maintained.
Omar Abdullah said that a holistic approach is required to carry forward heritage preservation and protection programme to achieve the targeted goals. “Private partnership in restoring, maintaining and utilizing heritage buildings and complexes is of significant role”, he added and asked the concerned department to work out roadmap for the same.
The Chief Minister said that while comprehensive project of Rs. 50 crores for the conservation and restoration of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex is in pipeline, the State Government is also seeking assistance of about Rs. 25 crore from Union Tourism Ministry in this regard. He said Rs. 4 crores have already been released for the launch of restoration work of Mubarak Mandi.
Omar Abdullah said that the complex is so huge and its restoration work so gigantic that public partnership in its restoration and utilization is the need of the hour. “At this point in time the State and Central Governments are working together to restore the heritage complex but in future there should be some viable and befitting mechanism in place to rope in private partnership for its proper maintenance, showcasing and utilization.
The Chief Minister visited various buildings in the complex and received brief about the proposal for the restoration and utilization of these buildings.
Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani who was accompanying the Chief Minister presented resume of the works completed in the complex. He also gave the details of other measures being initiated for the restoration of this heritage complex.
Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Atal Duloo told the Chief Minister that restoration of Raja Ram Singh Palace, Darbar Hall, Central Courtyard and Zanana Courtyard has been proposed under the Mega Destination Scheme to be funded by the Union Government. He said a project involving Rs. 25.42 crore has been preferred to the concern Union Ministry which has assured funding for the same.
Mr. Duloo said that the State Government has also been assured of Rs. 50 crores for restoration and upgradation of Dogra Art Museum, Badi Deodi, Royal Court, Gadvai Khana, Mahal of Raja Ram Singh’s Queen and part of the Palace under 13th Finance Commission Award. He said the Tourism Department is seeking private partnership to launch Rani Charak’s Mahal, Post and Nazool office, Rani Kathar’s Mahal, Palaces of Queens, Maharaja Partap Singh’s Mahal, Courtyards and Terraces in PPP mode.
He said the work for restoration of Maharaja’s Army Headquarter (erstwhile State High Court complex) is under execution at a cost of Rs. 4.37 crores. Of this, over Rs. 3.60 crores have been incurred on this work.
Mr. Duloo said that source of funding for Gool-Ghar, Gadhadar Temple, Old Magistrate Complex, Wall paintings, setting up of new Museum and upgradation is being worked out with various central agencies. He said there is also separate proposal for left over buildings, craft bazaar, shifting of utilities, restoration of slope on circular road site, maintenance and establishment.

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