NEW DELHI, July 6: Indian archaeologists are calling for C an all-out war to save a string of historic monuments in the Indian capital from being taken over by squatters amd developers. reports AFP.

Several monuments across the city have been taken over by the homeless or have been turned into parking lots. From some, stones dating back to early times have been taken away to build new homes.

"Delhi is losing a part of its history in the process." complained KN Dixit, of the Indian Archaeological Society.

We are no doubt losing our past.

"Unless encroachments are removed, you cannot preserve the grandeur, beauty and age of these monuments." he said. "Unfortunately, we Eire existing in a corrupt system and the system cannot be broken."

Officials say they are helpless.

Experts say around 1.300 monuments — the earliest belonging to the 10th century — are dotted around New Delhi, seat of the once mighty Moghul Empire and which the British made their capital in 1911.

But. apart from around 200 monuments, including well-known and majestic buildings dating back to the Moghul kings, the rest are not protected by archaeological laws.

They include tombs, mosques, graves and even stables.

The city authorities were pulled up by a court this year for permitting a toilet to be built at the grave of Moghul poet.

■ "What we need is an awareness programme." said Dixit.

"Most business houses and affluent class and schools and colleges can be requested to

adopt some of these monu-m«ta»J be said Tl^ will be of P Jain, of the Iridian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), agreed: "Unless there is a consciousness among the government and people, how can any programme succeed?

"Because of mounting pressure of population and vested interests in land, monuments face danger.

"People of the city should get together and form vigilance groups. Unless there is consciousness. even the police cannot help."

Jain said the INTACH was

trying to_ restore about 20 derelict monuments Which do not receive financial help from the city government at Mehrauli. which was a village in the 11th century.

INTACH is also trying to document all the monuments in the Indian capital by photographing and mapping them.

The last such work was reportedly done early this century.

Ai official at the government's archaeological survey of India said the New Delhi administration should ban people living around buildings more than 100 years old or altering them.