Many historic Zabul sites lie in neglect

QALAT (Pajhwok): Many historic sites in southern Zabul province are on the verge of collapse, warn locals and officials of the Information and Culture Department, stressing their preservation.

Zabul is a historically important province and is home to dozens of heritage sites. Noorullah, a local, told Pajhwok Afghan News, there were dozens of ancient sites in Zabul but the government was yet to pay heed to their rehabilitation.

Sheikh Mati Shrine, Ghashi Rabat and other ancient ports in Shinkai and Shahjoi districts were of great historical importance but they could collapse if steps were not taken to repair them, he said.

He believed if historic monuments abolished it would serve a severe blow to the tourism industry.

The provincial and the central governments were yet to pay any attention to the preservation of ancient sites and monuments in Zabul, said Nazir Ahmad, a schoolteacher.

He argued the information and culture department to discharge its duty and protect the national assets.

Acknowledging these problems, Abdul Moqim Afghan, director of information and cultural department, said nobody provided them with needed facilities to protect the sites. 

Over the past three years, he said, they had time and again shared the problems with high-ups but failed to elicit a positive response.

He said they were able to identify 20 archaeological sites in various parts of the province but five of them faced extinction.

Natural disasters and grabbing of lands by warlords were among the major factors threatening the existence of historical sites, he added.

He said Ghashai Campanile, Sheikh Mati Baba, Mohammad Hotak shrines and Mirwais Nika fort needed serious attention for renovation.

The information and culture has ministry pledged to rehabilitate Ghashai campanile only.

There are many historical sites in the province. Ghora Margha, Ghondano Mountain, Qalat Fort, Kachro Fort in Shamalzai district, Ghashai campanile, Bolan historical shrine in Siora district, Sahib Khan hell, Sortak and Sangar Jamal Khel sites and Sheikh shrine in Qalat are among some important historical sites.

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