LAHORE: The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has nominated Jahangir’s mausoleum complex as one of the 25 heritage sites on the World Monuments Watch.

The WMW selection is of globally recognised heritage sites whose preservation is urgent and vital to the communities surrounding them.

The site was nominated by cultural heritage conservationist Yasmin Cheema and her team, in partnership with the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak), with support from the Directorate General of Archaeology, Punjab, says a press release.

The 17th century mausoleum complex of Emperor Jahangir is the only Mughal Emperor funerary complex in Pakistan and has the outstanding universal value of being the only single storied commemorative structure for a Mughal emperor.

The tomb is still intact, providing a glimpse of the splendour of Mughal architecture and intangible cultural heritage of the era.

According to Professor Yasmin Cheema, Jahangir’s tomb complex faces many challenges, including the effects of climate change.

“Therefore, it is a matter of urgency to save the site’s authenticity and integrity, to pass it to the future generations, for them to know their history and identity.”

The mausoleum complex can become a rich economic resource, with proper tourist infrastructure and involvement of the local community.

Once on the Watch, a proper conservation plan will be developed by a multidisciplinary team of conservation experts to conserve and restore the buildings in the complex to their original form and to rejuvenate the Chaharbagh (paradise garden) with the involvement of the traditional artisans and the communities living in the surrounding areas.

The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is the leading independent organisation devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich people’s lives and build mutual understanding across cultures and communities. The organisation is headquartered in New York City with offices and affiliates around the world.

The Fund has been able to preserve 700 sites in 112 countries and the Watch which is announced every two years, has proven to be a tool for raising awareness of sites that are facing pressing global challenges of climate change, imbalanced tourism, underrepresentation, and recovery from crisis and are in need of protection and support for their preservation.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2022