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Heritage sites left in ruins

Emran Hossain
Years of irregularities and neglect by the authorities concerned have led to damage, destruction and even occupation of priceless archaeological sites across the country, but such persisting loss of national heritage has failed to yield their attention.
Whenever the Department of Archaeology takes an initiative for conservation, preservation or restoration of an archaeological site, the process is inadequate, flawed, and finally wrongly done in violation of existing laws.
But the department is always turning a blind eye to the existing situation and hardly bothers to do anything.
"We don't agree we violate existing laws. We follow conservation manual and Archaeology Works Code in conservation, preservation and restoration," said former director general (DG) of the archaeology department Di Shafiqul Alam, who has recently went on I .PR.
He pinned the blame on financial crisis, human resources shortage and lack of capacity building facilities for the current situation
But the irony is the existing Antiquity Act is very old and inadequate to preserve heritage and its text could not be translated in Bangla 38 years into independence.
"Heritage affairs should be maintained by heritage-oriented people. It cannot be maintained by government staffs," said Asiatic Society of Bangladesh President Prof Sirajul Islam. He referred to the autonomous heritage departments in America, Europe, Japan, Australia and even in neighbouring India.
Prof Sirajul added, "Neither money nor manpower shortage can be a problem in maintaining heritage sites. Heritage can earn money from inside and outside the country. The problem is our approach and lack of expertise."
"Though the archaeology department claims they arc foil owing Conservation Manual and Archaeological Works Code, it exists only on papers. Practically they are just destroying the sites violating existing laws," said Prof Shah Sufi Mustafizur Rahman of department of archaeol-ogy, Jahangirnagar University.
Noted historian Prof Abdul Momin Chowdhury said, "The experts must reach a consen sus on how conservation of archaeological sites should be maintained."
Prof Sharif Uddin Ahmed said, "Conservation is a science meaning you cannot do whatever you like. Skilled artisan is a must to ensure proper conservation. To develop such expertise people should be sent abroad for training, while those who know history and archaeology must be involved in conservation." CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION & RESTORATION
The case of restoration, conservation and preservation In Panam in Sonargaon launched by the BNP-Jamaat led four party government can be an example of how the process violates existing laws.
After the 1 /11 changeover the caretaker government formed an enquiry committee to look into the Tk 17 crore restoration works in Panam. The process was earlier halted midway following widespread criticism as it was in fact damagingancient monuments.
The enquiry committee recommended cancellation of the process saying it does not have a master plan.
Enquiry also found colours used on 'restored' parts were too shiny and bear the testimony of modern age rather than reviving originality of the ancient monuments. Besides, cement and sand were used in plastering instead of lime-surki for restoration works causing further damage.
Moreover, RCC (rodcement-concrete) pillars and beams were used instead of wooden ones though international laws direct to preserve and display antiquities with original materials and authentic documents.
Surprisingly, despite having enough evidence of irregularities and neglect the enquiry committee did not recommend action against anyone.
"Some deviations occurred as we had to work in an abnormal situation in Panam. We had to displace the occupants first and allow some deviations considering durability of the monuments," said Shafiqul Alam. He claimed the work in Panam was not stopped and its second phase might start any day.
Another example of negligence is 'preservation' of Shat Gambuz Mosque (60-Dome Mosque) funded jointly by the Bangladesh government and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) during BNP-Jamaat rule.
A separate enquiry committee headed by Prof Sharifuddin Ahmed found preservation' of Shat Gambuz was carried out by making on-spot decisions without conducting a study. This was gross violation of the international charter for conservation and preservation.
Based on spot decisions all 60 stone-made pillars but one were cased by bricks and then plastered to 'strengthen' those, investigators say.
The archaeology department officials have failed to show any study that had found the pillars were not strong enough to support the ceiling.
The enquiry committee recommended action against the officials responsible in vain.
A member of the committee said only one pillar remains in original state and the rest have been just "destroyed" during 'preservation'.
Another example can be the site of "Harishchandra Rajar Dhibi" in Savar. Though three sites in Savar including the "Dhibi" were announced protected in 1920, the archaeology department could not even demarcate those with fences.
The international law says security of a site is the first to be ensured.
FURTHER NEGLIGENCE
The latest example of neglect by the archaeology department has occurred in Baliati Jaminder Bari in Manikganj.
The department replaced three doors at three main entrances to the Jaminder Bari last year. A broken but original
wooden door remained and was repaired, but the department replaced the other three with iron-made doors having modem designs.
"We have installed the iron-made doors to ensure security to the Baliati palace. Wooden doors could not ensure security," said the former DG.
"If we want to preserve antiquities with all its authenticity all the sites will either be lost or destroyed as we don't have enough fund and manpower," comments an archaeologyofficial.
THE ANTIQUITY ACT
The existing Antiquity Act, 1968 is just a version of the act formulated during the British rule. A ridiculous amendment was made in 1976 through an ordinance only to replace the names Pakistan by Bangladesh and rupee by taka.
A committee formed recently to update the Act is considering bringing some important amendments to the Act.
The committee thinks abolishing the provision of the advisory committee and entrusting its work with the DG would be an important amendment.
Experts say if such amendment is brought irregularities will rise by hundred times and antiquities will be lost forever. They suggest adding some strict criteria to ensure participation of experts from multiple disciplines.
The Act also discourages examination of archaeological evidence like earth, coal and ash abroad as there is no clear provision in this regard.
It even does not have the provision to take action against any persons involved in preser-vation, conservation and restoration in case of any loss as section 30 offers indemnity.