The heritage and the historical monuments are not just objects of the past, these are actually the engines of continuity of human civilisation and that is why the developed countries focus on preserving such monuments. In the year 2008 Srinagar and Leh (old) towns were included on the New York-based World Monuments Fund (WMF) watch-list of the 100 most endangered sites across the globe. WMF is the foremost private and non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of endangered architectural and cultural sites around the World.
That a foreign organization showed interest in preserving Srinagar’s cultural heritage obviously should have come as a clarion call for all the people here that owing to their lack of concern about their heritage, someone from outside had to step in to wake us up from slumber. The heritage in Jammu and Kashmir and particularly in Kashmir Valley has all along got very little or no attention by any quarter. The indifference towards this sector is not confined to the governments, that be, but to the general public too. While government’s lack of interest saw wanton loot and destruction of heritage sites, people too are no less ruthless and in certain cases have been instrumental in destroying these glories of the past.
While all over world people feel proud of their cultural heritage and get inspirations for coming ages, in Kashmir these sites have always been treated as alien – as if the people have no emotional or cultural connection. Peoples’ indifference and sort of disrespect towards their heritage and culture is one of the main reasons of the trouble and turmoil that the region is face to face with today. People who don’t respect their history, their culture and their heritage are bound to lose connection with the roots and once this connection is broken, peoples’ identity is lost. That is what has happened here.
Of late, the government here has initiated a process for revival and restoration of heritage. It is being said that every effort is being made to conserve this historical treasure trove in a highly professional manner in order to present the same to heritage lovers in an aesthetic fashion. Need of the hour is that instead of making claims, the government should seriously start working on the ground. The Department of Archaeology & Archives should intensify the restoration efforts, ensuring visible progress on the ground. It is high time that steps are taken on war-footing basis. This treasure trove is to be preserved so that coming generation don’t see any disconnection on their civilizational journey.
