The most venerable cultural heritage
especially rock carvings and pre and post historic inscription will be
submerged in Diamer Basha Dam construction. These carvings and inscriptions are
the international heritage representing the history and culture of Indus
civilization, with can be preserved with national and international agencies
and experts. These are not only endangered by Dame, these also have threats
from different Government agencies as well as construction industries including
land development.
These petroglyphs, which is a unique
record of human activities have so far been documented, were safe in their
natural environment, are now threatened and endangered due to construction of a
dam near Basha. The planned Basha Diamer reservoir will endanger these very
important archaeological remains of the Gilgit Baltistan. It is estimated that
about 30907 out of 32405 rock carvings will be submerged by the Basha Diamer
reservoir including 3290 inscriptions which is a tragedy for the cultural
history of this area.
As the Basha Diamer reservoir is a
project of vital national importance and due to ideal location for reservoir it
cannot be shifted anywhere else therefore, the matter of safeguarding of
endangered rock carvings is of vital importance and it is in national interest
to up-lift (which are possible) from the location of reservoir and preserved in
the Museums to be established near the dam site. All the other important
petroglyphs will be copied through 3-D Scanner and their replicas will be
displayed in the proposed Museums. For the purpose a suitable piece of land and
substantial funds will be required to complete this Technical task.
Specific activities to safeguard these
rock arts (carving and inscriptions) following are the main activities.
a) Allocation
of site for open air museum for display of rock carvings and inscriptions
located on both site of River Indus in the District
b) A
detail survey is needed to identify the site being submerged in the dam
c) Identify
the stones having archaeological importance and number of lift able and non-uplift
able stones
d) All
lift able stones may be lifted and displayed in the museum with their brief
history and details
e) Representative/expert
from the department must be deputed in the Dame site with full fledge equipment
and workforce in the site
f) The current construction of periphery road at
dame site is also affecting the archaeological site, experts must be deputed
with them
g) Survey and Selection of rock carvings
Boulders/ inscriptions through archaeological experts (Request Federal
Government to constitute and archaeological team to survey Diamer Dam areas and
selection of Boulders containing petroglyphs/ inscriptions)
h) There
is dire need to equipped, Department of Archaeology GB with professional human
resource and required tools and equipment related to archaeology so that they
can perform on time necessary actions
i)
Develop Replicas of important stupa
carvings, Buddha & Bodhisattva figures and inscriptions could not able to
lift from sites. (This technology also need high level equipment and expertise
that may be develop in the department)
j)
Project may be allocated in CPEC as this
is a huge project
k) Conduct
a feasibility study for open air museum in Diamer District
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