Protecting heritage sites

As apprehensions regarding safety of heritage sites persisted, civil society wrote to Unesco, urging it to intervene

Shalamar Gardens, Chauburji and the GPO building are some of the jewels in Lahore’s architectural crown. Conservationists have recently voiced concern that the Punjab government’s much-trumpeted Orange Line Metro Train project in the city could inflict irreparable harm on these prestigious heritage sites. The issue came into the spotlight after work for the grand scheme was formally launched on the route connecting Lahore’s Dera Gujran neighbourhood with Ali Town. As apprehensions regarding safety of the heritage sites persisted, civil society members chose to write to Unesco, urging it to intervene. The UN’s cultural arm obliged and has written a letter to its representatives in the Pakistan National Commission to take up the issue with the Punjab government. The missive, in itself, implies that the Punjab government did not take it on board before launching the project — especially at the stretch passing along the Shalamar Gardens that is listed as a world heritage site. Another concern is that the construction of an underground station for the train project on Nabha Road may cause damage to the foundations of the GPO building.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is obviously not pleased with the adverse reaction to his pet project and has been at pains to quash what he termed were “rumours” that Lahore’s heritage sites would be harmed. While his promise to ensure that all historical landmarks will be protected need not be doubted, when people associated with architecture and design, such as Yasmin Lari, express fears about a possible adverse impact of the scheme, they need to be listened to and their fears allayed. While development work is important, genuine environmental concerns and potential dangers to protected sites must not be ignored. Protesters at a demonstration in front of the Chauburji monument succinctly summed up our argument with the slogan: “Build the train and preserve the heritage (train bhi banao, virsa bhi bachao)”.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2015.

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