Blasting Away Centuries-old Heritage for Gravel
ISLAMABAD: Taxila valley does not just boast country’s rich heritage, it has been a source of enduring pride for the people. But it has been under stress from continuous quarrying and blasting in its surroundings.
Archaeologists and environmentalists are again voicing outrage at substantial harm to this irreplaceable cultural heritage – ancient structures, archaeological sites, and priceless artifacts – from continuous quarrying.
The archaeological remains and environment of Taxila valley were seemingly safe until a large number of stone crushing plants were installed. Mining and blasting ensued, causing substantial loss to environment in which precious heritage sites have existed for the last 2,600 years.
To preserve historical and geographical settings of Taxila valley, the federal government declared it as a conservation zone. Necessary notifications were issued in 1982 under Antiquities Act-1975, prohibiting mining, quarrying, excavation, blasting and other operations of similar nature and removed 40 stone crushing plants situated within the conservation zone.
Later, the conservation zone was reduced through notifications in 1984, 1986, and 1989 to allow stone crushing machines in the dry bed of Haro River and to exclude the area of Fecto Cement Factory and Sangjani stone crushers.
There were still a large number of stone crushers in Taxila valley outside the conservation zone near Nicholson Memorial.
'Nicholson’s Memorial could be in danger. Quarrying has come to the monuments doorstep,' said an official of the archaeology department. 'Stone blocks have given way from the top because of tremors from blasting that have also put cracks in the memorial.'
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Archaeologists and environmentalists are again voicing outrage at substantial harm to this irreplaceable cultural heritage – ancient structures, archaeological sites, and priceless artifacts – from continuous quarrying.
The archaeological remains and environment of Taxila valley were seemingly safe until a large number of stone crushing plants were installed. Mining and blasting ensued, causing substantial loss to environment in which precious heritage sites have existed for the last 2,600 years.
To preserve historical and geographical settings of Taxila valley, the federal government declared it as a conservation zone. Necessary notifications were issued in 1982 under Antiquities Act-1975, prohibiting mining, quarrying, excavation, blasting and other operations of similar nature and removed 40 stone crushing plants situated within the conservation zone.
Later, the conservation zone was reduced through notifications in 1984, 1986, and 1989 to allow stone crushing machines in the dry bed of Haro River and to exclude the area of Fecto Cement Factory and Sangjani stone crushers.
There were still a large number of stone crushers in Taxila valley outside the conservation zone near Nicholson Memorial.
'Nicholson’s Memorial could be in danger. Quarrying has come to the monuments doorstep,' said an official of the archaeology department. 'Stone blocks have given way from the top because of tremors from blasting that have also put cracks in the memorial.'