Authorities negligence: Since 2010-2015 dry core drilling tender still in doldrums
M. Sameer & Nazir Siyal
Moen-jo-Daro/LARKANA: Post-monsoon resulted damages of various portions of archaeological site Mohen-jo-Daro, over 30-50 walls have been severely affected due to vandalism by visitors and heavy rainfall in Sindh and other parts country.
There is 800 acres archaeological land of Moen-Jo-Daro, some 200 occupied by the landlord, village agricultural, mobile towers, road communication and other infrastructures.
All parts of DK area, SD area, VS Valts, HR Hargraves area, Munir area, L. Dhama area and ABC, D.K area of Moen-Jo-Daro and major portions of different 30 walls were identified weak foundations supported with artificial stands and presently these walls are under threats of collapse, further monsoon rains and visitors vandalism is continued.
The Sindh Government concerned department failed to preserve and protect the world heritage archaeological site, while among the walls at DK area, VS area and other ancient sites of Mohen-Jo-Daro were damaged due to standard work and violation of manual work according to the Master Plan for Rehabilitation and Cultural & Tourism (MPR& CT).
It is also stated that heavy budget utilized by the concerned authorities to develop and preserve Mohen-Jo-Daro, the project Master Plan for Rehabilitation and Cultural & Tourism (MPR& CT) was designed with a cost of Rs. 3.5 million in 2006 and later it was increased with a cost Rs. 59 million up to 2012 year.
There were no salt water tests and mud water tests conducted by the laboratories for conservation work on Moen-Jo-Daro, the pointing of walls and under filling of the sites and development work on Museum and up-gradation with Halla bricks were not observed.
The experts also told that according got the Archaeology and Manual Conservation, the work is prohibited during September to March, but it was carried out in winter season in 2012-13. All the archaeological site drainage and walkways ruins due to heavy and mild to moderate rainfalls in Mohen-Jo-Daro and visitors vandalism during Eid occasions, national day’s celebrations and festival have severally damaged the site.
This correspondent also visited various times archaeological sites, the picture depicts the same situation due to inexperienced and corruption have changed its original shape of Mohen jo Daro since then.
5th time since 2010 to 2015 regarding the dry core drilling tender Rs. 100 million was issued in several newspapers for the preservation and protection of sites of Moen-Jo-Daro, but still in papers no work ahead only the boasting, so far millions were utilized before in the seminars at five star hotels sources disclosed.
Regarding protection and preservation of site with mud and wall capping on all eight sites have been done for the protecting sites from water gullies that creates fishers on roof and top Katcha paving at the gullies root now resulted all streamed mud during heavy rains the walkways and ancient drainage system of Mohen jo Daro ruined, while the current picture of Mohen jo Daro witnessed an ugly some experts witnessed.
Some experts and observers told that for the preventive measures to protect the world heritage Mohen-Jo-Daro by wall and mud capping of all 55 kilometer walls of archaeological sites, must be protected by fabric top, adding that inside the bricks protection by imported geo-textile matter in concave shape to fill the spaces , because of weak wall butters need those leaning walls to protect with mud Pushta, due to the heat thermal problem that affects and need steel shoring protection to the walls on.
During heavy rainfall no outlay measures taken to build ponding, so that surrounding water remain in center and no possible de-watering caused damages of walls and inside, the street bricks uneven technically.
The experts view that uncontrollable flooding of public is common, so that need to important walls and areas with fencing wood, speed barkers at restricted areas especially at “Stoopa and Great Bath” should be warning signs and guards. In this regard the staff should create awareness among the public about cultural protections as well as the police deployment to avoid any untoward incident at the sites.
It is also stated that about 200 acre area of Moen-Jo-Daro have been encroached by the influential, villages, and installation of mobile towers as well as the road communication. There is no boundary to cover 800 acre archaeological land of Moen-Jo-Daro around 200 meter trees ring buffer-zone to protect the sites by environment.
There is also no information about UNESCO fund and where about, even no dry core drilling and sampling up to 39 ft X-axis and Y-axis have been discovered for further new excavation. Present Mohen-Jo-Daro site is only 10 percent excavated and discovered eight sites on 40 to 50 acre of occupation.
Since the government authorities have not made any special arrangements to promote tourism facilities, appearance and other awareness to the national or international visitors at Moen-Jo-Daro, which only seems a mud-bricks mound.
Mohen-jo-Daro archaeological sites was proposed 56 tube well aednd technically CC drain circle made, which are 300 to 400 feet bore of 27 tube well installation by 80 hours power in 1984. The objective was to suck 8 cusec water in only a second around 1.5 km area, which the result of un-natural action damaged the pours create space than new pours r-opened and salinity problem started on Mohen jo Daro. It is fact that Moen-Jo-Daro naturally collapsed during 1997, the project was failed and all the tube wells were removed or destroyed by the concerned authorities sources disclosed.
According to experts, there is once need to research either salt or fossils inside and proper study and research of different Moen-Jo-Daro sites on 800 acre from east of Indus River to West, North and South.
The District Historical Society Larkana expressed concern over the situation and demanded of the authorities concerned to save the world heritage of Indus Civilization. The ancient site of Moen Jo Daro should be preserve in its original shape.