British-era Gorewada guest house in shambles
| Date :22-May-2019 |
By Kaushik Bhattacharya:
Declared as heritage monument by State Government in 2016, the guest house is on verge of collapse
A heritage mansion with its expansive rooms, decorated structures and huge premises may be a proud possession, but when the administration itself spoils the glory of that building by not maintaining, then it becomes a blunder. Gorewada Guest House which is situated near the lake side is also a perfect example of local administrations’ apathy. The guest house, kitchen, horse stable, swimming pool and other structures which were constructed more than 100 years ago in British era is now virtually on the verge of collapse. In the name of development, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Forest Department are working to develop the Gorewada reserve forest as a International Zoo by ignoring this Grade-1 Heritage site. The morning walkers and citizens visit the places daily to get fresh air in the morning and experience flora and fauna of the reserve forest. But, no one raised voice against the ignorance of the administration.
Clean Rangers and Gorewada Jungle Trackers, are those two groups who come forward to raise voice in favour of these heritage buildings. They conducts cleaning drive regularly to make the premises clean. “We talked with senior officials of NMC and the forest department to renovate the buildings many time but no one listening our plea,” said Anasuya Kale Chhabrani, a social activist to The Hitavada. Few walls of the building have already collapsed and remaining are in a shambles. The roofs are leaking, internal masonry has diminished and the outer wall has also started to give in.
The protected building has no protection from visitors who engrave their names and words on the walls and pillars of the premises. “The building needs immediate attention to save it from total ruin. Even the vehicles that enter the premises destroyed the foundation stone of the construction that erected by British,” said Adv Ritesh Tahliyani. “The building has now become a haven for drinkers who manage to enter the premises in night time,” alleged Sharad Paliwal. He further said, “Local administration getting heritage funds for development from the Government but they are not utilising it for heritage conservation.”
Residents, nature lovers to clean Gorewada premises on May 26
Paryavaran Prerna Vidarbha, I Clean Nagpur, Swacchha Association, Clean Rangers and Gorewada Jungle Trakers are jointly organising a cleaning drive at Gorewada premises on May 26 at 6.30 am. The organising team has appealed citizens and nature lovers to come forward and participate in the drive to make Gorewada premises clean.