Qutb Shahi Park to be biodiversity zone

Hyderabad: Germany’s Consul General at Chennai, Karin Stoll, on Friday expressed satisfaction at the restoration and preservation work being carried out at the Qutb Shahi tombs complex for which the country is providing Euro 75,000 (about Rs 59.5 lakh).

Ms Stoll attended a ceremony to mark the completion of conservation work on the mausoleums of hakims and a commander in the necropolis. She said Germany was keen on preserving of ancient culture and heritage monuments all over the world.

“Our country is supporting such projects in Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Rajasthan and Telangana state under its cultural preservation programme. In India, 87 projects are being supported by the German government,” Ms Stoll said.

Secretary, tourism, Venkatesham said the Qutb Shahi tombs were the biggest heritage complex in India 80 structures of archaeological importance. He said the government was taking up preservation and restoration of these structures with the help of Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).

Academic Syed Ali Asghar Bilgirami had identified the two hakims of Sultan Muhammed Qutub Shah as Nizamuddin Gilani and Abdul Jabbar Gilani. The name of the entombed commander is not known.

Telangana Heritage director N.R. Visalatchy appreciated the work by artisans and the AKTC team. “To assess the precise condition of these monuments, we applied 3D laser scanning and conservation works were carried out by master craftsmen using traditional materials like lime mortar and stone. Traditional building tools use similar techniques as used in the ancient era,” Ms Visalatchy said. The department is focusing on developing ecological zones with dense native vegetation in the vicinity of the tombs.

According to Heritage officials, the northern and southern sections of the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park will be developed as biodiversity zones. “We are trying to get an idea of the trees that existed here earlier, with the help of archaeological maps and documents,” an official said.