Herat residents urged preservation of historic sites

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents of western Herat province have said that most of historic places had been damaged and destroyed during past conflicts asking the government to pay attention to its rehabilitation and protection.

Saadullah, the resident of Chaharmahal areas of Shindand district, told Pajhwok Afghan News a historic place named Arg Chaharmahal was situated in their area but destroyed in the past war. He asked that government to rehabilitate the historic Chaharmahal.

“This fort is one of Herat’s historical monuments, which would attract many tourists if it were restored. But the lack of attention from the government and public caused this historical monument to be destroyed,” he said.

Syed Masoum Ahmadi, another resident of Gunabad area in Oba district, believed historic sited with 300 years history situated in their area.

He added currently small signs from it ruins existed and the remaining completely destroyed.

Ahmadi added the historic site was called Emarat which had been mentioned in the books of history as well.

In Pashton Zarghon district several historic sites are situated such as Khezro Jan and Chakanda Jan where people from Herat City and other areas go and visit it.

Niamatullah, the resident of Rabat Khawaja area of Pashton Zarghon district, said these sites were 300 years old and his attractive views for tourists. Nehaik Falah, one of the cultural activists, said the preservation of historic sites was government responsibility. He added by the eradication of historic sites the identity of a nation eradicate adding that there was need for greater attention in this regard. Herat Cultural Affairs Director Mawlana Naeemul Haq Haqqani said: “Since the victory of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) the acting government paid attention to the historical monuments in the country, especially in Herat province, and has restored and restored many of the historic monuments that were likely to collapse.”

Without directly referring to the status of historical sites at the district level, he said that there was currently no reservoir that was in danger of collapsing, and if there was a report in this regard, this department will get to it immediately Herat has 800 historic sites with most of them situated in the provinces.