Constructed in 1864, the old Rangers College building in Dehradun is struggling to survive with lack of funds hampering its restroration and regular maintenance. The colonial architect with horseshoe arches which was built in 1864 during the time when German-British botanist Dietrich Brandis was the inspector general of forests in India, is now suffering neglect due to lack of funds and official apathy.
Providing information on the issue, the Forest Research Institute director and FRI (deemed) university vice chancellor, Savita said, “The place was used to conduct research long ago in the past but it is not used for that purpose now. It is being used to house a new office of Environment and Forest Climate which is set up there in part of the campus.”
When asked about the problems faced in the task of maintaining the building and campus she cited the lack of funds. She said, “The place does have a historical significance which is all the more reason for restore and maintain it. However, the lack of funds is one of the basic problems which we are facing in trying to do the needful. Also, the main work has been shifted away from there so it not being atively used as before could be another factor. However, we at the FRI have and are trying our level best to get funds for the place from the ministry but the retro-fitting of the building needs a lot more money so it is becoming a time taking process. We have organised workshops for the forest guards there and we try to arrange it whenever we can, ”she added.
Registrar of FRI university Neelima Shah said “We have submitted a proposal asking for the funds to the ministry a year ago. We are planning to submit the proposal again for the restoration work of the building.”
Meanwhile, the old Rangers College located in the hear of the city near the Parade Ground presents the image of abandoned building at times as it awaits necessary funds and measures for its restoration and maintenance.