India, July 5 -- In a significant step toward protecting Mumbai's ancient heritage, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered the formation of an expert committee to study and recommend preservation measures for three historic rock-cut cave complexes-Kanheri, Mandapeshwar, and Mahakali.

The directive came from a division bench of chief justice Alok Aradhe and justice Sandeep Marne while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Janhit Mancha, a city-based citizens' forum. The plea sought urgent intervention for the protection, upkeep, and demarcation of the caves, which the group said were under threat from encroachments, neglect, and rapid urbanisation.

"The authorities are under a statutory obligation to maintain the caves," the ...