Editorial
Relics from ancient times
Take care of our treasure-trove
The High Court has ordered status quo on construction of structures in and around Bhitorgarh Fort in Panchagarh. This was in response to a writ filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) on the reported construction activity by two private companies in the perimeter of the archeological site.
The higher judiciary, true to its heritage-friendly activism has also issued a rule requiring the government to explain why the Bhitorgarh Fort site wouldn't be declared 'protected antiquity', accompanied by publication of a gazette notification in this behalf.
What we have gathered from the archeology directorate is that on this historical site a reputed archeologist has found traces of what might turn out to be one of the biggest fort cities dating back to sixth century AD. The ministry of culture and archeology department has taken note of the initial discovery. It might involve up to ten years of excavation to unearth the full extent of the fort city.
A gazette notification would mean recognising the site and government taking the responsibility of its protection. Basically, according to the pre-existing antiquity law of the land, once notified through the gazette no construction or human habitation would be permissible within certain earmarked perimeter of the site.
That is how it's protected as an antiquity. But, of course, there is much more to the undertaking. This relates to further probe, excavation, reworking, putting the pieces of puzzles together and, above all, maintenance under designated authorities.
Here we recall the shredding the bricks off the famous Mahastangarh site and using these for construction purposes. Even farming was reportedly going on in the vicinity. Such vandalism must be replaced by a culture of respect and responsibility for historical relics.
At the archeological level, there needs to be a campaign aided by government and private sectors to bring to the fore many unrecognised and yet valuable historical sites for the hoary past.
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