Nearly 200 students from schools, colleges and university formed a human chain around Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on World Heritage Day (WHD) observed here today under the aegis of the Amritsar Chapter of INTACH.

Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, President, Amritsar Vikas Manch, said the government should make provision in the Budget for maintaining heritage sites and send a delegation to Lahore to study how the Pakistan government had been maintaining Lahore Fort and Shalimar Bagh. He said the Pakistan government was getting $3 million from UNESCO for the maintenance of these two heritage sites.

Mr Sukhdev Singh, state convener, INTACH, appealed to the gathering to maintain their heritage not only of the holy city but even small articles of heritage value belonging to their forefathers. He said politicians and bureaucrats without applying minds and with mala fide intentions were approving maps of commercial and residential buildings around these sites thus threatening the existence of heritage sites.

Ms Sara Hundal, a student of Springdale Public School, said there was great neglect of heritage sites in Punjab and urged people especially the youth to save the heritage of the holy city. All these priceless works of art were under serious threat, she added.

Many school teachers present on the occasion said though there was need to upgrade the infrastructure and provide facilities to the general public but it should not be at the cost of any heritage sites. A painting contest and old game “Kotla Sipahi” were also held for schoolchildren.