Historic Takhar’s Zobin Fort on verge of eradication: Residents

TALOQN CITY (Pajhwok): The historic Zobin Fort in northern Takhar province has been now on the verge of eradication due to illegal excavation and seasonal flash floods, according to local residents on Thursday.

Mawlavi Syed Mohsin, a local resident, told Pajhwok Afghan New the Zobin Fort is one of the historic places with rich history. The historic site is thousands of years old.

He added: “In the past, dozens of military campaigns have been carried out to capture this fort, and the blood of thousands of people has been shed as a result of fighting for the capture of this fort, but currently, as a result of the lack of attention from authorities, it has turned into a dilapidated state and is about to be destroyed.”

He said if such places are in the neighbouring countries it would turned into a huge attractive site for the tourists and efforts would be made for its rehabilitation.

He asked the government to construct a retaining wall around the fort to ensure its safety and further destruction.

According to local officials and residents the Zhobin Fort is registered as historic place in the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs. The fort is situated three kilometres from Taloqan City where tens of people visit the site due to its greenery and the presence of natural water streams.

Agha Syed Amruddin, another resident of Taloqan City, said: “This ancient area is on the verge of destruction, no one pays attention, due to the lack of attention, a large part of this castle has been destroyed and eradicated, this historical area is one of the green places that should be taken care of by the government and from destruction.”

Taimour Shah, another local resident, termed the Zobin Fort a historic place and warned against the destruction of the fort by flash flood and the river in its southern part.

He urged the construction of retaining wall and said in the near future the fort may be eradicated.

Nooruddin Qalech Baig, deputy head of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, acknowledged the fact that the historic Zobin Fort was in bad condition and added several suggestions had been sent to the Information Ministry for the construction of a retaining wall around the fort to ensure its protection.

He also said that efforts were underway to ensure the prevention of illegal excavation in the historic site.

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