The city stands to lose the ancient Magathane Caves as the authorities have woken up to the pathetic condition of the monument very late. According to the ASI,its too late to declare Magathane Caves as protected site as they are in dilapidated state. An affidavit filed by Deputy Superintending Archeologist Zulfeqar Ali in the Bombay High Court stated,Magathane caves in fact come under the category of ancient monument as per the Ancient Monument,Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958,but it is too late for central protection as the site has been badly dilapidated,eroded,and encroached upon. For a site to be protected,it should possess the archeological features like art,architecture,inscription and historical information that are worthy of national importance,according to the ASI. Of late,very few evidences are available in the form of eroded sculptures, stated the affidavit. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Ashok Bhate challenging constructions on the premises of the caves and encroachments in the vicinity. The High Court had earlier been taken by surprise to know that ancient caves near Magathane were not protected monuments. Petitioners counsel Prachi Collaso had earlier submitted that these Buddhist caves,which date back to sixth and eighth century AD,are archeological sites and have ancient scripts and writings on them. The court had then ordered for an inspection of the caves and also sought a report on the same. The ASI in its affidavit has put the onus on the state to evacuate the encroachments for preservation of available evidence, said Assistant Government Pleader Bharat Mehta. Ali stated that the rock surface of these caves has deteriorated due to inherent poor quality of the mother rock. Owing to this,most of the carvings and sculptures were damaged,he said. There is modern intervention on the premises of the caves. The existing remains at the site are not worthy of national importance. As per the survey,the caves have been completely encroached upon from all sides by the slumdwellers and one has to go to the cave through a chawl.
