ENG105

Preservation of Heritage Sites in Bangladesh

By
Atia Mahjabin
1210417010
Section 05
Supervisor: Dr. Shireen Huq

Introduction
Historical backgrounds defines the identity of a nation.
Bangladesh is comparatively a young nation in terms of
gaining independence. The country is still developing
and has many agendas that are yet to be solved.
Preserving our heritage is one of the agendas that
requires the concern of the Government as well as the
citizens. The archaeology sites are national treasures
and everybody should be aware about the preservation
of it.

Topic: Preservation of Heritage Sites in

Bangladesh
Primary Question:
What are the factors behind Bangladeshi Heritage not being preserved?
Secondary Questions:
1) What are the challenges we have to face to preserve our heritage?
2) How much are the people aware of the threats to Bangladeshi heritage?
3) How can participation from local community can contribute to the preservation of the
heritage sites?

Hypothesis
Bangladeshi history and heritage is embedded in its
architectural heritage but the preservation of these
heritage sites are at stake.
Many of them are under illegal occupation and are
threatened for their existence.
People of the locality are ignorant of what is happening
around them.
Conservation of Bangladeshi architecture needs
awareness, cooperation and participation of the
communities in which the heritage structures are located.

Significance
The research aims at finding the factors behind Bangladeshi
heritage sites not being preserved.
These findings and surveys will help to analyse the possible
solutions to the problem.
Understanding the challenges will help to spread genuine
awareness among the local people of the nearby heritage sites.
Another goal is to find out if active participation of these local
people can help in the preservation.
As only Government and Archaeology Department might find it
hard to preserve the heritage sites without the cooperation of
civilians.

Methodology
Primary Method:
Primary method will be survey through questionnaires among the target
group of people. The target group will contain about 30 people. Students of
Architecture, Teachers of Architecture, Students of other majors and some
local people nearby the heritage sites are the target group for questionnaire
survey. Also some case studies of existing condition of archaeological sites
in Bangladesh will be included.
Secondary method:
Secondary method will contain study and analysis of books and publications
about preservation of Bangladeshi heritage sites and existing conditions in
the sector.

Survey Analysis : Research Findings

Findings: What are the challenges to preserve

our heritage?

Findings: What are the challenges to preserve

our heritage?
100% people in the survey believed that there are challenges to preserve our
heritage. And many of the challenges found in the research are:
Ignorance of Government (66.7 %)
Lack of Knowledge about it (66.7 %)
Lack of knowledge about the law against spoiling it
Lack of concern of the people in authority
Ignorance of local people who reside nearby the sites (60.9%)
Illegal authority caused from lack of security (48.5%)
Art crafts from the archaeology sites are being sold in black market
Improper maintenance and faulty restorations
Renovations deteriorating existing architectures

Findings: Examples of Existing Challenges

Fig. b. Restoration Deteriorating architecture

Fig. a. Panam nagar architecture

Urban homeless poor are living in risky heritage

Buildings illegally(a.).
Restoration is changing the heritage thus
deteriorating it (b.).
Laalbagh forts wall was broken while constructing
Fig. c. Lalbagh Fort walls broken in a construction

Survey Analysis : Research Findings

Findings: How to improve the condition

Archaeology department should receive more help from Government (51.5%)
Active participation of people from all sectors (69.7%)
Renovation and restoration properly (54.5%)
Promoting facilities in the sites to ensure visitors and activities to engage people
Proper fund management for maintenance
Schools and Colleges inspiring heritage tours
Posting experts in authority
Community meetings
Educating general people through mass media (96.6%)
Collaboration with Architecture department
Prevent Illegal authority (30.3%)
Workshops and seminars on heritage preservation (43.8%)

Survey Analysis : Research Findings

Survey Analysis : Research Findings

Findings: What should be the Governments

approach
Ensuring proper documentations of existing sites
Re-locate the homeless poor people who try to live in
these heritage buildings

Ensure that restoration is not deteriorating the existing

heritage

Provide more facilities to the Archaeology department

78.8% people in the survey did not know about the law of
antiquity act which shows that the Government needs to
reinforce the laws from the constitution itself.

Reference
Fig. a. Ahmed, E. (2006, November 6) .Almost destroyed this ruined city panam nagar. Retrived
from http://dhakadailyphoto.blogspot.com/
Fig. b. Ahmed, E. (2006, November 6) Losing its unique architectural features for improper
conservation. Retrived from http://dhakadailyphoto.blogspot.com/
Fig. c. Supreme Court Correspondent. (2015, June 28). A portion of heritage site Lalbagh Kellas
boundary wall has been torn down to make a parking lot. Retrived from
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/06/28/high-court-orders-halt-to-dismantling-lalbagh-fortwall-to-set-up-parking-lot

THANK YOU!