Pakistan's ancient caves 'caretakers' clash with officials

DW (English)

A cave site near Islamabad has been used by humans since the Stone Age. The Pakistani government wants to develop the site, angering the group who claim to be its guardians.

Transcript

00:00These caves are situated on the main trade route of the ancient times, which were connected

00:19from Central Asia to Texla and then the rest of the subcontinent.

00:25Before the construction of the present day Grand Trunk Road, this route was used by the

00:31travellers from Central Asia to India.

00:37I think these caves were basically used by travellers who were travelling on this ancient

00:45trade route.

00:49We also have some evidence from the prehistoric times, because these Margalla Hills are very

00:55important and we have the evidence of human beings from 40,000 B.C.

01:05Because it was the Middle Stone Age, there was evidence of the human beings in this area.

01:15These caves were used by the local Hindus, who were living in Shah Ladita Cave.

01:22Before the creation of Pakistan in 1947, these people were living here and for their daily

01:30worship they used to go to these caves.

01:34After the creation of Pakistan, the Hindu community living in the Shah Ladita Cave,

01:39they left this area and migrated to India.

01:45This is a very good thing.

02:09When Pakistan was created in 1947, this place was with us.

02:14I have become a grandfather of this place.

02:16This is my 4th or 5th generation living here.

02:23Believe me, I feel very sad when I see this.

02:26I feel very sad when I see this.

02:28I feel very sad when I see this.

02:30We should make such places, so that people from all over the world can come here.

02:34There are no such so-called caretakers.

02:37This site has been handed over to us by the Evacuation Trust.

02:41The caretakers of this site are the Department of Archaeology and Museum.

02:45The people who are running their businesses, selling tea, etc.,

02:50if they call themselves caretakers, they are wrong.

02:53There is no such thing.

03:05The amount of tourists who come here and stuff,

03:08it should be supported to keep it clean.

03:11At the same time, there are certain developments being made around,

03:15so the government should ensure that those developments do not change

03:18the local demographics of such places at the same time.

03:34For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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