ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday removed encroachment and illegal construction from the historical Buddhist caves of Shah Allah Ditta and handed over the retrieved land to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

The enforcement directorate backed by the Islamabad Capital Administration (ICT) administration and police conducted an operation and pulled down four illegally-constructed hotels adjacent to the caves.

The retrieved land was later handed over to officials of the ETPB who were present during the operation to point out the encroachment.

Located in the lap of Margalla Hills at D-13, the caves are one of the most important heritage sites in the region but successive governments failed to take steps to protect it.In 2010, the CDA prepared a PC-1 for the preservation and protection of the site in addition to the development of Sadhu Ka Bagh, a tourist attraction spot next to the caves. However, the project could not be launched.

Meanwhile, the Department of Archaeology and Museums Islamabad has decided to start preservation work on the site.

Director General of the department Syed Junaid Akhlaq told Dawn: “We are going to start the preservation work by using the endowment fund soon. We will carry out face-lifting of the caves and some repair work on the historical pond.”

He said an information centre would also be set up at the site to help the visitors.

Mr Akhlaq said Shah Allah Ditta caves had lots of potential to attract tourists. He said his department was also going to preserve the Ban Faqiran site.

Deputy Mayor of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) Syed Zeeshan Naqvi, who belongs to the Shah Allah Ditta area, said the caves had a rich history.

He said 2,400 years old murals of Budha were also found on the walls of the caves.

An official of the CDA said the caves were about 4,000 years old. He said with a little attention and investment, the site could be preserved to promote tourism in the area.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2019