Construction a big threat to ancient bund in Bhojpur

BHOPAL: Here’s the catch! The state may have mooted to rename Bhopal to Bhojpal or mark the millennium celebrations of the legendry Parmar dynasty king Raja Bhoj’s coronation, as it did last year, but it certainly is ignoring an ancient structure made by him.
Not less than one and a half kilometer from the famous Bhojpur temple is a bund constructed by Raja Bhoj which faces threat due to the proposed construction activities.Much to the ignorance of the state government, the bund, which holds high archeological value, is fast losing its beauty thanks to the digging, leveling and the construction works around it.
The bund, though not an ASI protected site, is a scintillating example of the history of Madhya Pradesh. About half a kilometer from Maduya village near Bhojpur, it was constructed to complete the huge catchment area of Bhopal taal (lake) made by Raja Bhoj. The bund is also an evidence of technical expertise of the people. It too is indicative of the welfare work done by the Raja during that time. Interestingly, according to an ASI official, there are no other evidences of this kind of work.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bhopal circle, in an effort to curb the construction activities, had written in detail to the Raisen district administration and the state government. The same was forwarded to all concerned, including top officials, but in vain.
Construction activities by a builder had begun in the north eastern side of the bund. Digging and leveling activities of the other proposed constructions have also marred the authenticity and ambience of the structure, ASI officials said. Though the construction activities have temporarily been halted after the ASI request, archaeology officials feel that there are chances that the work might resume. The Raisen district collector, Mohanalal Meena, confirmed that no official action has been taken yet.
“Since the bund is not an ASI protected site, the body has approached the state government, environment ministry and the revenue authorities concerned. It has informed them about the historical importance of the bund and the natural landscape around it with the request to look into the matter and to initiate steps to protect and preserve our heritage,” ASI deputy superintending archaeologist Vasant Swarnkar told TOI.
Swarnakar said the provisions should be made on the lines of the Ancient Monument and Archeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR), 1958 and its amendment in 2010, to protect such heritage. There should be prohibition and regulation of construction and mining activities around the Centrally-protected monuments. This kind of guidelines can also be formulated by the authorities to stop unauthorized construction and mining activities in the vicinity of heritage sites and monuments, he added.
Interestingly, state department of culture ignored the bund despite ASI request even when culture minister Laxmi Kant Sharma emphasized on preserving heritage yet unknown and spread across villages in the state. He said the ministry will get nearly 200 crore from the 13th finance commission to boost heritage-related activities. He was speaking at an international seminar on ‘Art and Archeology of Madhya Pradesh and Adjoining Regions’ in Bhopal on Tuesday.