16 February 2004	Monday	24 Zilhaj 1424

PESHAWAR, Feb 15: The urban environmental pollution is threatening the tangible heritage of the provincial metropolis. A recent survey report jointly published by the ministry of culture and tourism , Unesco and UNDP showed that pollution had damaged various components of the walled city of Peshawar, including architectural sites and other historic monuments.

The survey report cited negligence and high levels of pollution for the damaged suffered by ornate carved wood, carved and bonded brick, stucco and other delicate structures in the walled city buildings.

Lack of conservation efforts were attributed to shortage of funds and lack of public awareness in this regard. Only two of the 14 gates now exist, some of the historic houses had been lost while only portions of the wall remained, said Director Museums and Archaeology Prof Ihsan Ali.

"Peshawar city is unique ... It is the oldest living city in South Asia unlike cities like Moenjodaro and Harrapa ... It deserves to be nominated as one of the Unesco World Heritage sites," Prof Ihsan said.

"Peshawar city is a densely populated city ... New houses have been built in many localities, damaging its original historic character, especially the city's historic bazars," another archaeologist said.

Stressing the need to involve the people living in the old localities and bazaars in efforts to conserve historic sites and buildings, the report called for creating public awareness about the value of these buildings and monuments.

"Without some financial incentives for the owners of old buildings, it would not be possible to preserve the cultural heritage," Prof Ihsan said. He said that immediate preservation efforts were need for the old houses in Mohalla Sathian, a fine example of old architecture, and some inns and qehwakhanas still extant in the old Qissa Khwani Bazaar, adding they would prove to be great assets for tourism.

The joint Uneso-UNDP report said that Peshawar city was mostly accessible by the small vehicles like motor-rickshaws, adding they were mainly responsible for the high levels of pollution.

The report also criticized the lack of restriction on vehicular traffic within the walled city. The level of air pollution within the walled city was 10 times higher than the internationally-acceptable standards, the report said.

Pollution and dust were damaging the walled city as there was a lack of filtering greenery inside it. The poor drainage and sewerage system and lack of acceptable sanitation standards within the streets of the walled city also contributed to the environmental degradation. "How can one take tourists to places of cultural heritage when the surrounding areas are full of garbage," Prof Ihsan said.