July 11, 2004

Many fear that the move can set a precedent for similar demands from other provincial and even district governments. It should surprise no one if someone in Larkana now wants to take over Moenjodaro

A FEW months ago, it was administratively decided to hand over the management of the historic Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens to the Punjab government. It was a totally irrational action on part of federal government authorities to bundle out the management of a national monument which is recognized and listed in the concerned international documents, such as the World Heritage Sites list.

Concerned archaeologists, both in the service of the federal government and private consultancies, have serious concerns on this move. When contacted, they considered it as a practice which has no precedence in the past. The heritage sites of national significance such as Moenjodaro, Harappa and Taxila are looked after by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan. It is argued that being a federal department, this institution maintains evenhandedness and judiciously allocates funds and inputs towards their restoration within the available means. Though not fully equipped due to paucity of funds in comparison to the enormity of tasks, the department tries to safeguard the sites from vandalism or further decay. Priority is obviously assigned to such edifices which are living sites, represent a prominent phase of civilization, possess larger public appeal and denote a distinct category of architectural form and style. The Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens undoubtedly fall in that category.

Concerned quarters reported a highhanded motive behind this decision. A strong lobby of citizens, which claims to be the custodian of culture and heritage in Lahore, launched a subversive campaign to obtain the management control of these two priceless sites. The Punjab government duly supported the attempt. In all “earnest”, the federal government was approached which gave in to the wishes of this powerful conglomerate. The actual transfer of management is now scheduled to take place on July 15, 2004.

It is also important to note that the repair and restoration of Sheesh Mahal was already under process under the guidance of eminent conservationist/architect, Yasmeen Lari. That effort is under way, but it is feared that the management change shall have a negative fallout on the project. It is also observed with concern that this move can set a precedent for similar demands from other provincial and even district governments. Tomorrow, if the Nazim of Larkana demands handing over Moenjodaro to his administration, it may not be surprising.

Another deplorable aspect in this changeover is that the management shift is not backed by any technical proposal for the comprehensive upliftment of the two sites. Needless to say that both the sites lie in a dilapidated condition with the requirement of massive restoration in many spaces and building elements. Besides, the sites are likely to be utilized for commercial shows such as fashion galas or variety programmes as a means to earn revenue. How much of that earning shall be spent on these monuments is anybody’s guess, given the track record of our governmental functioning.

VOICE FROM THE FORT

Architect Yasmeen Lari is the National Advisor to Unesco and key expert of the Lahore Fort/Sheesh Mahal Restoration Project. She has been actively campaigning for the conservation of national heritage for over two decades.

According to her, the most important issue is to build up the capacity of various institutions that are assigned the task of looking after heritage in their respective jurisdictions. There are countless heritage sites, monuments, buildings and structures that await attention of the concerned quarters. No single department or tier of government has the capacity to look after this vastly spread out heritage. Due to enormity of the task, a collaborative effort is needed wherein not only the government but the private sector must also be involved. Ms Lari cautions that any step that may jeopardize the ongoing restoration effort or the status of these priceless monuments must be avoided.

The restoration effort at the Sheesh Mahal itself is an outstanding attempt towards undertaking a hands on historic preservation initiative. The Federal Archaeology Department, in collaboration with a well-knit team of visiting experts, has undertaken a systematic exercise towards restoration of Sheesh Mahal. She lamented that despite the uniqueness of the Lahore Fort, it was lying in a dilapidated state for several decades. According to the Antiquities Act of 1975, a buffer space of 200 feet was to be left around the fort to help safeguard its structure, surfaces and ornamentation. This was never ensured. There is a busy bus terminal which has transmuted into a source of pollution towards the northern edge of the structure. Unabated emissions and fumes have caused serious damages to the various elements. For example, a defect termed as ‘marble cancer’ is found in the Diwan-i-Khas and Moti Masjid.

Incompatible haphazard development has sprung up all around the fort, undermining its sanctity and causing visual pollution. Encroachments are rampant. Traffic management is a top priority. The Shalimar Gardens has confronted a number of menaces and in the process, succumbed to physical interventions. For instance, during one of the road widening attempts, its historic hydraulic system was damaged beyond repair. Such a grave scenario calls for a comprehensive exercise towards safeguarding monuments and sites. Issues pertinent to development, environment, movement patterns, planning and management need to be accounted for. It is of little consequence which department collects entrance fees. What is more important is to evolve a collaborative effort amongst various stakeholders, be it government, private sector or community members of various origins.

The current restoration project at Lahore Fort is a worthwhile attempt in many respects. It has been made possible by Unesco which trusted the local institution and expertise with a hugely sensitive and complex project. It is also remarkable to note that the department and related stakeholders have been able to put their act together to protect and restore some of the most vulnerable elements of the fort. The ceiling of Sheesh Mahal, which was about to collapse, has been secured. Documentation has been done under the supervision of the Heritage Foundation. Students of local institutions participated in cleaning of the fort after receiving basic training. Artisans have been trained in relevant skills, such as naqashi, tile mosaic and aaina-kari. For more concentrated cleaning and maintenance work, a team of eight female workers have been formed from the local community. Experts, visitors from abroad and scholars from prestigious institutions have appreciated the effort.

The most important concern that shall arise after the administrative change will be the enactment of effective controls on the monument for public usage. Fireworks, celebrations involving fixtures of any kind on the walls and unwanted public congregation in certain sensitive areas is damaging and must be prohibited. Festivities involving cooking and serving of food must also be prohibited. The only place where large-scale functions, such as fundraisers may be held, is probably the maidan in front of Diwan-i-Aam. Since it is away from the building domain, such activities can be routinely housed. The Punjab government has assured to comply with the principles of usage for such sites. It is, however, vital to build up the capacity of the personnel of the Punjab government to maintain and manage the site of this significance. Besides it must be ascertained that the ongoing work should continue with renewed commitment and practical involvement of the government after the administrative change is brought about.

AN EXPERT SPEAKS

Anila Naeem is an architect and qualified restoration expert with a background of preservation of cultural properties. She cited her reservation on the decision to hand over the management of Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens to the Punjab government.

According to her, World Heritage sites are owned and managed by federal/central governments as a norm. One of the primary reasons in this universal approach is the avid involvement of international bodies such as Unesco and the International Centre for Conservation and Rehabilitation of Monuments (ICCROM).

Apart from technical and managerial assistance, these bodies also extend sizable financial assistance for the conservation and management of heritage sites. However, these bodies are essentially linked up to federal/central governments. If the Lahore monuments are handed over to the provincial administration, it will create an awkward situation because the federal government shall have to play the role of intermediary in this case. It may also invite objections from these bodies which are linked to these sites for a long time.

Anila points out that management and restoration of historic monuments is a high-budget exercise. Governments, whether federal or provincial, can hardly undertake projects on their own. Instead of creating cosmetic changes, a well-contemplated strategy is needed. Government bodies need to evolve what is called as public-private partnership through appropriate contractual means. It is an open secret that hundreds of sites under the control of the Department of Archaeology are lying in dilapidated state for decades. Each time any report is published or news items printed, the government only cites shortage of funds as the key reason. Elsewhere in the world, the government bodies actively associate with the private sector to invest in such public causes. Normally, the results are favourable. Under the ‘corporate social responsibility’, a few multinationals in Pakistan have also taken steps to safeguard heritage. By swapping one type of bureaucracy with the other, one will hardly matter.

Anila lamented the fact that there does not exist a national forum of professionals, experts and concerned citizens who could be involved in the debate and discussion on matters related to heritage. Traditionally, the International committee of International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the body responsible to advise governments and others on this matter. It comprises architects, archaeologists, conservationists, intellectuals and concerned citizens. In Pakistan, this body has been in hibernation since long. Off late, some efforts are underway to revive its existence and activities. Actions are thus needed to reactivate this useful forum to deal with heritage matters in a systematic manner.

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