Lahore: Rs 300m for Shalimar Gardens’ conservation

[Naveed Yaseen]

WALLED City Project Director General Oriya Maqbool Jan Abbasi has stressed the need for concerted efforts by all the government departments for the conservation of historical and cultural heritage. He said that the Punjab government was spending Rs 300 million for the conservation of the Shalimar Gardens

He was addressing a function at the completion of repair and renovation of the eastern and western gates and Shahi Hamam of the Shalimar Gardens with the cooperation of UNESCO and the Getty Foundation on Tuesday. He said the conservation project of Shalimar Gardens would be completed in eight years. Earlier, Additional Secretary Information, Culture and Youth Affairs, Syed Iqbal Haider, in his address said that the Shalimar Gardens was included in the list of international heritage and the Punjab government was making efforts for the protection of Shahi Qila Lahore and Shalimar Gardens. He appreciated the services of UNESCO for the conservation of historical buildings.

UNESCO Director Dr Moris Robson said an amount of $2.5 lakh had been spent on the restoration of three portions of the Shalimar Gardens with the help of the Getty Foundation. He said that efforts were being made for the conservation of original structure. Prizes were also distributed among the students of local schools who participated in the paintings competition. Director Archaeology, Shahbaz Khan, Director Walled City Project Talib Hussain and other officers were present.

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