Maidan Wardak ancient sites on brink of destruction: Residents

MAIDAN SHAHR (Pajhwok): Residents of central Maidan Wardak province say several historical places in the province are on the verge of destruction and need urgent attention.

Mohammad Hamid Baha, a resident of Chak district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that heritage sites in the province were considered as the historical identity of the country and it was joint responsibility of the government and people to preserve them for future generations.

He said Maidan Wardak was a historic province and home to several ancient places and monuments whose ancientness reached about 300 years. “Their protection is important for the country’s identity. The people and the government should jointly protect and preserve them.”

In Chak district, the resident said, historical sites included Goda Naha Barja fort, Baskmand Hussain fort and former King Mohammad Zahir Shah hotel near Chak Dam, but many parts of these structures had been destroyed.

Mohammad Waseel Salehi, a resident of Daimardad district, also said many ancient places existed in their area, but they were on the brink of destruction.

He said: “We have many ancient monuments that are famous on the national level, but they have destroyed and lost their previous glory. We should preserve our history and honor for future generations.”

Writer and poet Ihsanullah Bombiwal said historic monuments and places were national wealth and their protection was a joint responsibility of the nation and the government.

He said: "Kafar Qala, Kalakh Botan and Arg in Daimardad district and Al Ghata underground town in Narkh district are historical places that are related to the identity of our country."

He asked the government to repair ancient sites facing the threat of destruction and prevent them from being destroyed.

Local officials they are committed to protecting and preserving historical places and monuments in the province.

Director of Historical Monuments and Heritage at the Information and Culture Department of Maidan Wardak province, Mohammad Nasim Rasa, told Pajhwok that 76 historical places exited in the province and 18 of them were formally registered with the Ministry of Information and Culture.

He said he was trying to register all ancient monuments and places in the province to prevent their usurpation and destruction.

Maulvi Habibullah Mujahid, head of the provincial Information and Culture Department, also vowed to protect historical places and monuments. He said no one would be allowed arbitrarily dig or destroy ancient sites.

In order to protect the country’s antiquities, he said, a military museum would be established at the provincial level to showcase destroyed military equipment left behind by the Russian and American forces.

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