A strong apathy or even antipathy seems to be at work when it comes to the preservation of the country's precious historical sites. Who ever thought that the Chhoto Katra and the Boro Katra, the historical remnants of Moghul rule here, have not yet been brought under official protection? The indifference shown to the two katras In the city and other such relics throughout the country Is rather inexcusable. That we as a nation are forgetful of our past is truer than what we exhibit at times as a spirit rooted In the past.

If we believe the version of the Department of Archaeology on the protection Issue, successive governments have evaded it simply because the formalities to bring the historical sites under the government s custody involve a huge compensation. Compensation for whom? Mostly the compensation has to be paid to parties who have illegally or otherwise occupied the sites for various uses including renting. If the two Dhak^-based sites are subjected to such mindless indifference and lack of initiatives, the fate of those elsewhere in the country can easily be imagined. There are hundreds of historical sites, as the Department of ! Archaeology claims, throughout the country.

Now here is a question of retrieving our past i from illegal occupation. In this matter the gov- | ernment's position has to be very clear. The compensation question cannot take precedence over illegal occupation or encroachment. Only the other day it was reported that the Eidgah on Satmasjid Road was under the illegal occupation of some quarters. Does it mean that after some years the same quarters will earn the right to claim compen- j sation from the government — just because they . somehow managed to encroach upon the site? More to the point is the lack of right initiatives and seriousness of purpose. The sooner you take up the restoration or preservation plan the better. Let the government be alive to the need for preserving our past for the posterity first. Then it will be no problem to find out how the invaluable treasures of our history can be preserved. The UNESCO has a heritage programme under which ancient structures or historical treasure-troves are preserved. A few of our sites have already come under the programme. If we show enough consciousness and readiness to preserve sites like the two katras (forts), we are sure these will be given the attention they deserve as civilisation's rich heritage and thus be saved from ruination.