Daily Times

LARKANA: UNESCO archaeological experts, Michael Jansen of Germany and Jhosef Shuldurein from American visited Hakra Loop Bund on Indus River along with Dr Kaleemullah Lashari, Chairman Technical Committee for Mohenjo Daro and architect Naveed Ahmed Sangah.

They inspected area and found that since the last two years the Indus River has been eroding the bund and expressed their reservation over the pace of work to save the site. They were briefed about the on-going reinforcement work and construction of spurs being carried out by the irrigation department engineers.

The engineers told them that the Indus has been constantly eroding the bund up to one kilometer in length and 70 feet deep.

The visiting experts suggested to the engineers that they should use geo textile chemical cloth to halt erosion.

Jansen opined the world heritage site was constantly facing threat due to flood water for which dykes should be further strengthened.

He said during 80s these bunds had been strengthened and stone pitching work had also carried out in changing flow but it was still flowing on the same pattern which needs more work. He urgedthe Sindh government to take the matter seriously. Dr Kaleem Lashari said due to increase in water logging, ruins have been facing dangerous situation as underground water has risen which has also become poisonous due to salinity and would damage hidden historical treasures.

Guests also visited recently established Mohenjo Daro Press Club and praised efforts of journalists for highlighting the issue of ancient ruins.

Published in Daily Times, August 4^th 2017.