'Save Old Dhaka heritage sites from grabbers'
Speakers at a roundtable discussion yesterday urged the government to protect the archeological sites and heritage of Old Dhaka from land grabbers.
The government should prepare a realistic policy and sustainable legal and administrative structure to protect the archeological sites of the country, they said.
Paribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) and Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (Bafa) jointly organised the discussion at Weise House in Old Dhaka.
The speakers said there exist many age-old establishments in the capital, which bear the pride of Old Dhaka city and many of these sites date back about 400-500 years.
Still standing with pride over centuries are Ruplal House, Weise House, Shangkha Nidhi House, Bara Katra, Chhoto Katra, Binat Bibi Masjid, Tara Masjid, Rose Garden, Baldha Garden, Dhakewshwari Mandir, Pogos School, etc, they cited.
But the existence of these invaluable heritage structures is threatened as land grabbers' now eye on the establishments, they added.
The speakers also said that recently a vested quarter has been trying to gobble up Weise House, which was built somewhen between 1840-1860.
Protection of Weise House is a must to protect the history, culture, and heritage, they said, urging the government to enlist the country's all heritage sites and move for their protection.
A convening committee, headed by Kamal Lohani to protect Weise House, was formed at the roundtable discussion.
Poba Chairman Abu Naser Khan, Shamsul Wares, Atik Morshed, Bafa President Shamsujjahan Nur, Bafa General Secretary Adv Mohammad Saad Ullah, Bafa Vice-president Momrez Hossain Raja Mia, and former secretary Nazmul Ahsan took part in the discussion among others.
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