Srinagar, March 6: Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has written to Pandurang Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, calling for the administration’s urgent actions for the preservation of 5000-year-old Burzahama archeological site in Srinagar.
Environmental Policy Group (EPG) Convenor, Faiz Bakshi, in the letter to Mr Pole, a copy of which has been shared with Ziraat Times, has expressed concern that the world-famous archeological site Burzahamma, dating back to more than 5000 years, has ‘long been in news but for wrong reasons’ and requires immediate and tough protection and preservation measures.
“This site of about 16 acres has been encroached upon, vandalised and destroyed by local land mafia who enjoyed political and official patronage. As a compromise (unethical), more than 5 acres were gifted to encroachers. However, their greed did not end there and they are occupying more and more area”, Mr Faiz has pleaded.
“The Archeological Survey of India, with the help of local administrations, was constructing a wall around the leftover area through PWD but some locals are once again not letting it happen as a result the work of construction of the wall has been stopped. It amounts to challenging the writ of the State. In any civilised society the encroachers and vandals would have been put in jail but being what we are they are holding this historical site to ransom”, EPG has informed.
“These goons have been organising cricket matches at the site with great fanfare under the patronage of a section of local administration. In the process the site is progressively deteriorating. It will be worthwhile to mention that Hon’ble High Court in a PIL issued orders for its protection.I am afraid those orders are also being brazenly violated”, Mr Faiz further said.
The group has requested the Divisional Kashmir, known for taking tough administrative measures, to order tougher measures necessary for the protection and preservation of this once renowned archeological site.