Hyderabad: The 16th century Qutub Shahi tombs are one of the most important tourist attractions in the city. A heritage park is added to this attraction as a new chapter.
The unique heritage park is likely to come on 106 hectares of land with the joint efforts of Aga Khan Foundation, Heritage Telangana and Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
A project is underway to preserve and restore 40 tombs, three mosques, seven wells and other buildings. The first phase of this major repair and refurbishment program was completed in 2018 and now the final phase of this program is underway.
According to Ritesh Nanda of Aga Khan Trust for Culture, about 60 percent of the work has been completed so far. He said more than a dozen historic sites, including five wells being repaired and preserved, were started with the help of the U.S. Ambassador Fund. Indigo Airlines is assisting in the restoration and renovation of the Mohammed Qutub Shah tomb. The work will be completed by 2024.
Renowned landscape architect M Shaheer has been overseeing this project since its launch in 2013. He uses skilled masons and uses the traditional building materials to repair and refurbish these old structures.
The 106-hectare area is divided into three zones, a nuclear archeological area, a visitor facilities area and a bio-diversity zone.
The bio-diversity zone contains thick forests. Existing trees were listed in 2014. New trees will be planted in the landscape. Once the site is completed, it will become a major tourist attraction.
Nanda further said that the restoration and refurbishment of the historic sites and the restoration of the landscape will mean the place as a World Heritage Site. It will attract millions of tourists to the city from different parts of the country and around the world.
Source: The Siasat Daily