LARKANA: Visiting Unesco expert Thierry Joffroy has asked for capacity reinforcement budget for the next four months for the initial phase of urgent ‘stabilisation work’ at Mohenjo Daro. Parts of the world heritage site had sustained damage in the aftermath of the unprecedented rains and flooding in recent months.

Mr Joffroy had arrived at the site on October 24 and conducted a survey to assess the extent of damage and estimate the cost of rehabilitation work. Officials of the culture department and member technical consultative committee of the National Fund for Mohenjo Daro assisted the Unesco expert in conducting the survey.

Mr Joffroy appreciated the work carried out by workers following the heavy rainfall across Sindh in August and September this year.

Sources privy to the rehabilitation plan told Dawn that the project would cost $430,000 to be carried out over a period of three years for which short-,mid- and long-term schemes were being designed. The schemes would focus on conservation and climate change mitigation measures.

Sources say ‘reinforcement’ budget for initial four-month period estimated at $430,000

In the initial phase which would take over four months’ time, $70,000 would be required, the sources said. A more comprehensive restoration plan would be prepared after completing this project during January 2023 when the Unesco expert would be visit the site again, they added.

The four-month capacity reinforcement project would include recruitment of fresh staff [about 28] to form four operational teams to undertake the stabilisation work along with skilled personnel at the site. The work would be focused on re-levelling of drainage system, underpinning and reconstruction of walls. Temporary deployment of two assistant conservators at the site will also be made. A satellite internet connection would be needed to establish communication with international partners and experts for preparing a long-term restoration plan.

Under the plan to lay a drainage system at the site, a study would be conducted on how to ensure a safe and smooth flow of rainwater into Indus River. Such a system would be designed for each area of the site, the sources said.

They pointed out that the Unesco expert, during his five-day stay in the city, undertook an extensively survey of the site along with the director archaeology Shakir Shah, member NFM technical consultative committee Altaf Aseem, Conservator Ali Haidar Gadhi, Naveed Sangah and others.

They also accompanied Mr Joffroy in his visit to the proposed disposal outlet, the protective dyke around the ancient site and the spurs erected to control the river’s flow.

In discussions with him, the element of ‘climate change’ was taken as a key factor contributing to the disastrous rainfall and floods as the Unesco expert was told that this factor would possibly cast an adverse impact on the ruins. Designing a workable drainage system and studying types of channels suitable for draining rainwater through gravity were also discussed.

Mr Joffroy and his team members decided that a variety of situations should be mapped before the next monsoon.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2022