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Authorities mum over damage done to cultural heritage
LAHORE - The visitors on Sunday in a survey expressed their anguish over damage being done to the national heritage saying the encroachers were throwing garbage, toxic substances and chemicals around the monuments, destroying the beauty of City’s heritage. But unfortunately, the authorities were enjoying protocols instead of taking revolutionary steps to preserve the same.
They said Lahore was a big centre of Mughal architecture with magnificent buildings, mosques, shrines, tombs and gardens, adding that although the building of Mughal period had been well preserved, but the standing
portions of these structures and other monuments portrayed the architectural style of one of the greatest periods of Indian history.
Expressing her fervour, Shazia (19) said she was very ambitious from her childhood to visit the Lahore Fort, which was a part of the historic City with no less significance then London, Paris or Rome. She said Lahore was
heir to an ancient civilisation, but encroachments were ruining the historical monuments.
A family with two cute kids celebrating Sunday as the fun-day said that the life was at stake in each moment due to the security concerns, especially at public places where there was insufficient security arrangements, but they
were here to experience the traditional heritage and culture.
Rehman Ali (56) was also apprehensive of prevailing state of affairs saying that despite having all such assets in abundance, the archaeological and other departments concerned seem to be oblivious to their worth and
importance and not doing any creditable job for their preservation and safety. Only some main buildings and monuments were being given a little bit attention as a formality while all other small and hidden historical
structures were totally neglected, he added.
A foreigner visitor, Laura, said tourists from outside keenly visited this place not only for recreation but because it was also a big source for information and awareness for the youth by accompanying their elders.
“Mummymagnificent place for recreation,” said 6 years old Umar.
An Indian visitor having interest in literature, Sharjeel Ahmad said the ‘Paris of the East’, Lahore was a cosmopolitan place, where poets such as Iqbal and artists like Amrita Shergil, as well as future writers like Khushwant Singh, Amrita Pritam, Saadat Hasan Manto and Faiz Ahmed Faiz had emerged. He said Prem Kirpal, a Lahorite who migrated to Delhi, claimed Lahore as his beloved City.
A police man Mehboob Iqbal from Multan visiting Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque said gigantic pillars of the fort were presenting the unprecedented scene of beauty that could not be summed up in words. Replying to a
question, he said cleanliness should be ensured at every cost as these were the places from which foreigner visitors made their opinion about the attitude of any country, adding that foolproof security was necessary at
recreation points but the masses also had to play their role to counter the menace of terror with courage by ensuring their presence at such points.
A couple Ali and Husna while appreciating the beauty of Minar-e-Pakistan said security concerns was no reason for them as recreation was their main purpose. To a question they said people were interested in visiting such
historical places, as these were the symbols of an alive nation, adding great hustle and bustle was clear evidence that visitors were least concern with threats given by the terrorists.
Enjoying the marvellous beauty of Badshahi mosque, Sufi Mustafa said in its various architectural features including vast square courtyard, the side aisles, the four corner minarets and grand entrance gate had summed up the history of development of mosque architecture of the Muslim world over the thousand years prior to its construction in 1673. To prove his point, he said the three double domes finished in marble had superb curvature.
The Nation: June 23, 2009
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