GILGIT: As many as 30,000 ancient rock carvings in the province of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) are facing the threat of disfigurement, due to lack of archeological expertise and focus by the authorities concerned.
According to an official report, the areas of the province having most important rock carvings are close to Chilas, Thalpan, Ges Bala and Ges Pain and Shing.
Renowned Archeological Expert Dr Ijlal Hussain said that the most important rock carvings were located near to Chilas and the latest threat to over 30,000 rock carvings was the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam. The construction of the dam would submerge the carvings and inscriptions written in around 10 languages, he said.
Dr Ijlal, who did his PhD in ‘Cultural and Religious Significance of Silk Road’, said the government had conducted many surveys regarding threats to the rock carvings in Gilgit-Baltistan. However no serious effort was done to save this precious heritage.
He recommended that the important and precious rock carvings must be shifted to Chilas, for which resources and expertise were required. He said the replicas of these rock statutes should be made along with the documentation, following the relevant documentation done by a German scholar, Herald Hopkin and the concept of contemporary digital documentation.
Dr Ijlal said that the GB province had the ancient remains of before 1000 BC and statues with mythological animal’s carvings, which reveal the religious beliefs of the people, who used to stay there and the government must give priority to the conservation of this heritage.
An official of the Department of Archeology and Museums (DOAM) was of the view that after devolution under 18th Amendment of the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the provincial department to start excavation work in the important sites for documentation and preservation. However, the provincial authorities lack archeological experts to preserve the priceless heritage for the tourists
The sites, if excavated and preserved, can reveal many historical facts, antiquities and help educate the future generations about the country’s heritage, along with boosting tourist activities in the region, the officials said.
Muhammad Hassan, who has served as Assistant Director of DOAM, during the years 2001-2006, said that the rocks usually sustain the climatic changes of intense nature; however, there was a need of excavation of these rocks so they can be preserved. Muhammad Hassan, who is now Curator at Harrapa Museum, Punjab, said more than 30,000 similar rock carvings in GB which can become a great source of attraction for the tourists, if preserved and maintained.
