Source

NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 26, 2003: In an attempt to uncover ancient Hindu cultural sites, the Indian government, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, has started excavating along the legendary Saraswati River from Haryana to Gujarat. The task is an arduous one in a land where the local people are often not aware of the value of their heritage and artefacts from cultural sites are often smuggled out of the country. Tourism Minister Jagmohan says, “We are shortly coming up with an amendment to the existing legislation on protection of antiques and arts which will make illegal trafficking a cognisable offense and give police the powers of seizure.” As they forge ahead with the excavation, it is expected that treasures, such as abandoned towns and inhabitations from the Harappan civilization dating well before 3000 bce, will be revealed. The Tourism Department has grand plans to house the artefacts uncovered in museums to attract tourists. Communities along the dried up river have been encouraged to keep the environment around the heritage sites clean. After Jagmohan addressed an interactive meeting organized by UNESCO about the heritage sites, Indian-born Australian Amareswar Galla commented, “As long as you have poverty, you will have problem with dealing illicit trafficking in cultural property, be it India or elsewhere.”

Post Views: 614