Changing landscapes of Hyderabad

Golkonda: Extended portion of citadel, Naya Qila could have been a sanctuary guarded by the mighty walls of mystique heritage. Now and then the Naya Qila comes into limelight for restless construction works by the Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA) and nothing changes. The lure of HGA continues and the while the environmentalists wail. It seems like a never-ending tale, but the years of labour and toil has indeed changed the landscape of the site.

Naya Qila nestles a magnificent African Baobab tree, and adjacent to it stands a Mosque “Mulla Kahyali”. Qila is lined by the mighty fortified walls with nine extended curtains “Burj” which holds several cannons some of them are among the largest cannons in Hyderabad the site also inhabits a solidly symmetrical Mustafa Khan Mosque.

Until last decade the Naya Quila was a blend of cultural and natural heritage, a vantage point. The inaccessible walls of the Naya Qila kept the concrete settlements at the bay and had given way to local shepherds and farmers who never cultivated, ploughed or irrigated the land. They only used the marsh grass to feed their cattle.

Birdwatcher Adnan Uddin said “I used to pay frequent visit to Naya Qila there were scores of birds and wildlife around now the place has transformed completely although it looks green but the green grass would never nurture ecological habitat. The contours of the heritage precinct were changed, land was ploughed and the Naya Qila Talab lake began disappearing.”

Bagh E-Qutub Shahi the hidden gardens were excavated in 2014 by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Lubna Sarwath said “The golf course is trying to capture the land which is not assigned to them violating the rules by the ASI. Pubic shall have access to this location because there are many significant heritage structures in Naya Qila.

It is the only place from where the public can have access to seven kilometre long outer walls of the fort. The walls are now used by the golfers, the grass is being laid and public entry is restricted.” Naya Qila is guarded by tight security managed by HGA, who are trained to be uninviting and suspicious to general public said ASI guard at Naya Qila. Moreover, they do not allow people to wander around and have a look around other structures at the sight.

Local farmer, shepherd Baseer Ahmed who use to graze his cattle a few years ago said “HGA have built private walls near Moti Darwaza which has restricted public entry completely. And security guards are very hostile towards farmers.”