In a bid to attract more local and foreign tourists, the government initiated to reinvigorate a number of heritage sites of the country, spending an amount of TK 110 crore, The money was spent under the supervision of archaeology department to reform Kantaji Temple, Mahasthangarh, Buddhist Vihar at Paharpur and Shat Gombuj Masjid.
But despite being renovated, most of the sites have not been able to attract tourists in adequate number as per expectation. Some 59 percent of the tourists who visited the sites alleged that there is no proper direction and detection so that they can find and reach those without facing any hassle. Some 63 percent of the tourists question the management of the sites and some 69 percent has expressed their dissatisfaction over the cleaning standard.
Due to low level work and lack of adequate reservation of the sites, tourists did not showed their interest as expected. A recent survey, conducted by Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of planning commission, made such observation. The survey report showed that under the project, a heritage management plan was initiated, but due to negligence of development agencies, IMED’s recommendations were not implemented properly. Infrastructure construction was not properly monitored.
For want of proper monitoring, allegation was made for reconstruction lower quality products were used. Eve two years past after project compilation, food court at Buddhist Vihar, rest house, toilet block, market block and parking block at Kantaji Temple, shopping complex at Mahasthangarh is yet to be operational. There is lack of coordination between archaeology department and Kantaji Temple committee, alleged the report.
The report said using low quality wood, temple stair was made at Buddhist Vihar at Paharpur, which has already broken in some places. On the other hand due to open romancing of the visitors, the existence of the World Heritage Site has been threatened. Same observation was made about heritage sites Bangura, Mahasthangarh. Low quality wood used for bridge and stairs.
Connected, director general of archeology department Md Hannan Mia said the renovation work is a continuous process, allegation of low quality work will be investigated. It is to be noted, the South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project addresses the infrastructure and management deficiencies and fosters community participation in nature and culture-based tourism. The project includes infrastructure intervention alone with a program for capacity building of the country for protection and management of natural and cultural heritage.
The IMED survey was conducted in the beginning of this year. After renovation, the aesthetics of archaeological patterns is increased and government revenue is also increased but these sites are not monitoring properly. The survey further showed that presence of foreign tourists at those sites have also decreased. According to archeology department statistics, on an average 517 foreign tourists came during 2013-2018. But the local tourists were increased but they were not satisfied with the sites beauty and management. They pointed inadequacy of transport, accommodation and security.
