Fw: [Ind-Arch] Blasting away centuries-old heritage for gravel

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----- Forwarded Message ----ymalaiya <ymalaiyaIndiaArchaeology Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 7:04:37 AM[ind-Arch] Blasting away centuries-old heritage for gravel

 

Blasting away centuries-old heritage for gravel

By Jamal Shahid Monday, 31 Aug, 2009 | 10:04 AM PST |

 

 

 

'Continuous quarrying and blasting in close proximity of these ancient sites for the last many decades have caused substantial loss to these monuments.'

 

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.'

Blasting causes vibrations just like earthquakes and create P-waves (Primary waves) that push and pull the earth. S-waves (Secondary waves) shake the earth from side to side. These waves cause disintegration in earth and damage to structures standing on the ground, said sources in the archaeology department.

'Structural remains of sites of Taxila valley are of very fragile nature and easily vulnerable against such destructive forces,' they added.

In its report for the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the Department of Archaeology complained: 'Continuous quarrying and blasting in close proximity of these ancient sites for the last many decades have caused substantial loss to these monuments. A slow degradation can be observed in all 24 excavated archaeological sites and monuments of Taxila valley, cracks and inclination in the structures are quite visible.'

Nicholson's Memorial which is situated close to blasting sites has been adversely affected – many cracks have appeared in its structure and stone masonry has started falling from the top, the report said.

Similarly, blasting has impacted sites of Kalawan and Giri where monuments are seriously being damaged. Even worse, a portion of the original 16th century Grand Trunk Road constructed by Sher Shah Suri and later repaired during the Mughal period adjacent to the Nicholson Memorial is threatened because of continuous movement of heavy machinery and trucks, laden with crushed stones.

As many as 1,000 to 1,500 trucks carry crushed stones out of the Margalla Hills.

Although, the Department of Mines and Minerals argued that sites were safe from blasting, the report said vibrations caused by blasting not only damaged archaeological sites but had damaged many priceless antiquities displayed in Taxila Museum. Vibrations caused objects to slide slowly, unnoticeably towards edges of shelves in display cases and finally fall and break.

Terracotta objects, pottery and stucco heads of Buddhist deities were some victims.

Officials in Pak-EPA said that archaeology department had strongly proposed to stop and shift all quarrying in Margalla Hills to preserve Taxila's ancient heritage from destruction.

In the report, the department proposed that the entire Margalla range, including areas to be vacated by stone crushers, be developed into a national park to prevent it from environmental decay.

The department advocated that public facilities – jogging tracks, cycling and rest areas – should be developed to create a sense of ownership that would ultimately result in strong opposition to anti-environmental activities like quarrying, blasting and stone crushing.

http://www.dawn. com/wps/wcm/ connect/dawn- content-library/ dawn/news/ pakistan/ provinces/ 03-blasting- away-centuries- old-heritage- for-gravel- ss-05