Civic body has proposed that chabutara be included among structures that could benefit from funds of MPs and MLAs.
The AMC has proposed that the chabutara of the old city, including those on private property, be included among items for whose maintenance councillors, MPs and MLAs can give money from development funds at their disposal. The heritage department of the AMC has submitted a proposal to this effect before the civic body’s standing committee and it is likely to be taken up for discussion on Thursday.
The chabutara (places to feed birds) of Ahmedabad are heritage structures which are an important part of the city’s unique identity.
A chabutaro can be found in most pols in the old city but, unfortunately, many of them are not in good shape.
The AMC is unable to take care of them largely because of shortage of funds. As a matter of policy, the civic body repairs and maintains only those chabutara which are located on the campus of the properties it owns.
However, if the latest proposal of the heritage department is approved, the civic body will be able to get money from the development fund of corporators, MLAs and MPs for repair of the chabutara. The money could be used even to shift the chabutara located on privately held land.
According to a survey conducted by the AMC in 2000-01, there are 126 chabutara in the walled city. If those located in other parts of the city are taken into account, their number will go up many times.
The AMC survey had found that Khadia ward has 35 chabutara, the highest in the city. It is followed by Kalupur ward with 33 chabutara.
On the other hand, Raikhad ward has just one chabutaro at Karanj in Bhadra area. This chabutaro is one of the finest of Ahmedabad.
An AMC official said that during the survey it was found that many chabutara with heritage value were in a bad shape because they were owned by trusts, private individuals or groups.
“Some of them were on the verge of disappearing altogether and dangerous as they could cause accidents by tripping pedestrians,” said the official. He also said that as the chabutara are an important part of Ahmedabad’s heritage, steps should be taken for their preservation.
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