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HERAT CITY (SW): Reluctance on the part of the local authorities towards the historic sites in Herat province has turned many iconic sites into drug dens.
Ghulam Rasoul, a resident of the Herat city told Salam Watandar the seventh district’s ‘Musla and Zubaida’ neighborhood which has historical significance has literally turned into garbage dumping site and drug den for addicted men. He added a number of historical sites in the province need urgent attention and immediate renovation.
Residents of the province believe these historic sites are part of the national heritage and they mean so much to them.
The provincial directorate for information and culture does not deny the fact that the heritage sites are facing danger. Jawed Zargham, director for heritage at the directorate, told Salam Watandar some sites have been preserved and renovated. He, however, lamented lack of sufficient budget in this regard. He also blamed the local population for encroaching upon heritage sites.
The provincial directorate for information and culture has referred at least 10 land grabbers to the attorney’s office on the charges of encroaching upon hertigate sites.
Herat province has some 800 historically important sites, which are considered as national heritage of the country.
The Afghan government has proposed to the UNESCO to enlist Herat and Balkh provinces into its World Heritage List. The contemporary city of Herat is thought to have been established in around 500 BC as the ancient town of Artacoana or Aria, in the fertile plain beside the Hari Rud River.
ENDS
