The Government of India today informed that 24 monuments have disappeared and remained untraceable. Among them is the ruins of the Copper Temple in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Truth be told a similar fate is facing most monuments in the state. The seven state protected sites, three sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and 51 unprotected sites are in various stages of neglect and decay.

Places of worship and pilgrimages like Parasuram Kund, the 400 years old Tawang Monastery and Gorsham Chorten draw a large number of pilgrims every year. Similarly archaeological excavations in Malinithan, Itafort, Bhismaknagar, Vijayanagar and Nakshaprabhat etc., are a historian’s delight. But sadly, these remnants of our past are slowly decaying away and if more concerted efforts are not made these might forever disappear.

Urbanisation has made it very difficult to trace such monuments and often buildings come up around them and eventually parts of the historical site are "swallowed up." 
Another reason for the monuments disappearing is the routine encroachment. Encroachment is also a problem eating into the heart of these historic sites. The rampant encroachment on almost all archaeological sites for human habitation has emerged in recent times as a major cause of concern.

Although, it is easy to put the blame squarely on the Department of Research for the upkeep of these monuments and sites; yet on a closer look myriad of problems have led to the collective decay of these treasures. Some of the major concerns of the department which is shockingly understaffed are- state funding, rampant encroachment and human vandalism.

Public vandalism is a pressing concern in maintaining the monuments as almost all sites are afflicted by this problem. The Department of Research responsible for the upkeep of these monuments and sites must be empowered with more funds and manpower to tackle problems such as theft, human vandalism and rampant encroachment.

It is time that more efforts are put in from all corners including the public to ensure that these symbols of our past stay on for posterity. Lest a feeling of respect and belongingness manifests in the general public, the small fleet of officials will not be able to manage this problem.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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