CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR MUGHAL GARDENS – SHALIMAR, NISHAT, ACHABAL

Kashmir is a repository of the largest number of Mughal Gardens in the subcontinent. Although these gardens still exist in their original layout and setting, the human intervention and vicissitudes of time have resulted in distortions of their historic character. The Department of Floriculture, current custodians of these gardens, supported by State Department of Tourism, requested INTACH to prepare strategies for their conservation and effective management.

INTACH has prepared a comprehensive documentation for the three prominent Mughal gardens of Kashmir, i.e., Shalimar, Nishat and Acchabal along with conservation and management strategies. These strategies are aimed at restoring these gardens as well as adapting them to their current use as public parks. It is hoped that these restoration and management strategies, once in place, besides being tools for the effective maintenance and upkeep of these gardens, shall also restore their historic character.

The scope of work included :

Documentation
A detailed architectural and photographic survey and documentation.

Structural Appraisal and Analysis
Assessment of the physical condition of the built and landscaped fabric from field survey.

Condition Assessment
Distress survey and identification of problems and their causes.

Recommendations
Suggestions for the repair methodology and procedures of conservation.

Budgetary Estimates
Preparing a tentative estimate on the cost of restorative and repair works