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UNESCO warns Pakistan to reverse “reconstructions” at Taxila World Heritage Site or face “danger list” inclusion.
Taxila comprises a Mesolithic cave, the archaeological remains of four early settlement sites, Buddhist monasteries, and a mosque and madrassa. (Source: Wikipedia)
UNESCO has asked Pakistan to reverse the “reconstructions” that “undermined the integrity” of two historical sites at Taxila, a World Heritage Site, warning that the property could be placed on its “danger list” if the actions are not reversed, according to a media report.
The UN cultural agency, during a recent meeting with senior government officials, said it would not hesitate to “delist” the historical sites at Mohra Moradu and Sirkap over what it described as recent “unnecessary interventions”, the Dawn newspaper reported, citing sources.
The agency also warned that Taxila could be removed from the World Heritage List if the actions were not reversed.
Located in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Taxila comprises a Mesolithic cave, the archaeological remains of four early settlement sites, Buddhist monasteries, and a mosque and madrassa.
According to UNESCO, the ruins of the four settlement sites reflect the pattern of urban evolution on the Indian subcontinent over more than five centuries.
The report said a visitor wrote to Pakistan’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris in March, sharing photographs and information about restoration work undertaken by the Punjab archaeology department.
According to the report, the visitor observed interventions that could “affect the authenticity and integrity of the property, specifically original walls being replaced with new construction or their height being raised”.
UNESCO subsequently said the “unnecessary interventions” had compromised the authenticity and integrity of the sites and could result in their inclusion on the “danger list”.
According to the newspaper, photographs showed fresh masonry replacing sections of ancient walls, while reconstruction work had increased the height of some structures.
It added that the difference between the original stones, which are irregular in size, and the modern building material, which appeared polished and uniform, was clearly visible.
Last month, UNESCO, the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM), and the Ministry of National Heritage and Cultural Division conducted a joint technical visit to the Taxila Museum.
An official said UNESCO had sought specific documentation on the conservation and restoration work carried out at Mohra Moradu and Sirkap.
Responding to the concerns, Punjab archaeology department Director General Malik Zaheer Abbas said describing the work at the two sites as “reconstruction” was inaccurate.
“The interventions being undertaken are conservation measures based on internationally accepted conservation principles, with the primary objective of stabilising vulnerable archaeological remains, preventing further deterioration, and preserving the authenticity and integrity of these World Heritage properties,” he said.
“At present, there is no question of ‘reversing reconstruction’ because the works are conservation interventions, not reconstruction,” the official added.
With inputs from PTI
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