KARACHI, July 23: The federal government has approved Rs35 million project for promotion of cultural tourism and rehabilitation of Moenjodaro, which represents the 5000-year-old Indus Valley Civilization, it is learnt reliably.

According to the sources, the federal archeology and museums department would implement the project in three years from 2007 to 2010. Under the project, the conservation will be carried out by isolation of the structure from migrating salts in solution, consolidation of those parts which had decayed and desalinisation of the standing structures.

The sources said that under the isolation work horizontal and vertical damp proofing of the walls would be carried out and the salt laden earth from within the remains would be replaced with a thick layer of river sand and a layer of sweet earth. Salt saturated archeological spoils lying in the shape of dumps around the excavated remains since first excavation done in 1922 would be removed to the natural ground level.

They said that under the consolidation work underpinning of very decayed undermined ancient brick work would be carried out, overhanging walls would be strengthened, thermal isolation of the leaning walls would be prepared and hydraulic jack system would be designed to bring the leaning walls back to the original vertical position.

Mud plaster would be used to draw out the salts saturated on the surface of isolated walls. Besides, salt eating plants would be planted in open areas to reduce the ground salts.

Efficient and effective drainage system would be developed by giving due slope to the floors of rooms so that rain water flows out of the ruins. The streets and lanes of the excavated remains would be cemented.

For the promotion of cultural tourism, guides would be trained so that they could conduct guided tours. Moreover, replicas of the important excavated objects would be put on display to make the excavated areas legible for common visitors.

A shopping arcade, designed on the pattern of the main market place of the ancient city, would be established and training centres for pottery, toys, copper work, embroidery and handloom textiles would be set up so that the community members or others interested in such arts could learn and sharpen their skills.

Existing tourist rest house would be upgraded and a new building for museum – having an auditorium, book shop, souvenir shops, cultural centre, handicraft workshop, crafts designing centre, cultural centre and cafeteria would be designed.

The sources said that the project would help in restoring the country’s most precious cultural site, which is also on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This would attract local as well as international tourists opening up opportunities for expansion and promotion of cultural activities and local art craft providing additional job opportunities for local community.

The sources said that earlier the preservation and rehabilitation work of the Moenjodaro was carried out by the Authority for Preservation of Moenjodaro. Following the completion of the Moenjodaro International Safeguarding Campaign, the APM was abolished by the federal government in 1997.

From 1974 to 1997, the Authority carried out the preservation work at a cost of over US$23.5 million, including Pakistani component of US$14.1 million and international community input of US$9.4 million, owing to which the threat of flooding of the ancient city site by the Indus River was eliminated.

But the threat from salt, thermal and drainage problems continued to damage the ancient structures that with the present project are expected to be saved, rehabilitated and restored.