'Insensitivity' impairs protected sites
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 09 2016 :
Superin-
tendent of Manipur State
Archaeology K Dinamani has
categorically stated that lack of
public awareness and funds
have crippled the department to
save the deteriorating historical
monuments of the State inclu-
ding protected sites which are
of immense historical values.
In an interaction with
The
Sangai Express
at the
Kangla, Dinamani empha-
sized on the importance of
historical structures which
were built by former rulers of
this erstwhile kingdom.
Peo-
ple should realize that these
hisrotical monuments are
parts of the State's heritage.
He lamented that even pro-
tected sites are vulnerable to
destruction and degeneration.
Prof L Kunjeshwori of
Manipur University also cited
examples of 'negligence'.
She
said that Leimapokpam
Keirungba Temple, a pro-
tected site located behind
DIPR complex, is in a piti-
able condition.
With grasses and shrubs
growing all over the temple
and no proper fencing
erected, the importance of
declaring a historical monu-
ment as a protected site lost
its meaning as the general
public, sometimes, are not
much aware of the historical
significance of this temple
built before the Anglo-
Manipur war of 1891.
Prof Kunjeshwori also
opined that the Sankhya Ahan
and Sankhya Macha Temples
located at Nongmeibung,
which is not yet protected, is
on the verge of collapse un-
less maintenance works are
carried out at the earliest.
Both the temples have similar
Indo-Islamic style of architec-
ture.
On the other hand,
Dinamani, said monitoring of
repairing works to maintain
protected sites is often
wrongly constructed as at-
tempts to garner contract
works.
The officer also em-
phasized that it is important
for the public to be more
aware about preserving the
historical structures rather
than granting protection under the existing Ancient Monuments and Archaeo-
logical Sites and Remains Act, 1976.
He continued that if public wants protection, the State
Archaeology could willingly declare a structure, more than
100 years old, as protected sites though an agreement needs
to be reached and signed with the concerned stakeholders.
As far as Samkha Ahan temple is concerned, he also
mulled that if the State archaeology had enough funds, or its
stakeholders have it, the temple could be restored to its pristine
beauty as well as develop 'recreational gardens' by planting
trees or plants to provide a space for the senior citizens and
children alike to relax.
Infact, the historically significant temple can be converted
it into a place of tourist destination for Manipuri diaspora,
mostly devout Hindus, from Myanmar, Assam and Bangla-
desh during the period of Sangai festival as well.
Renowned archaeologist, Oja Mutua Bahadur also sup-
ports the view that preservation process is the most important
factor towards protecting the heritage of the State, including
protected sites.
Oja Mutua further said many other important
sites and structures hardly unknown to the general public also
exist throughout the State.
Comment
