Yet Again!

Taimur Islam. Photo: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

Taimur Islam, along with his team of Urban Study Group (USG), an organisation that campaigns for the conservation of architectural and urban heritage of Old Dhaka, has made news quite a few times over the last decade, either by filing petitions or initiating movements to promote his amazing cause. 

On December 28, 2015, once again, he filed a writ petition to the High Court, requesting that the demolition of four buildings, which were accorded heritage status, with Holding Nos. 62, 63, 64 and 65 at Shakhari Bazaar in the capital, be stopped. These buildings, which are about 75-years old, have all criterions for preservation as historical heritage sites of Bangladesh, as their distinct classical and neo-classical style of architecture stands out for their historical value.

“Besides, Rajuk had issued a gazette notification in February 2009 saying that such buildings cannot be demolished without the approval of the Town Development Committee formed by the government,” he explains. “Also the Constitution of Bangladesh and the Antiquities Act 1968 both clearly state that the government should take necessary steps to preserve any urban site, street, group of buildings or public-squares with special historical or artistic value. Then how can any form of modification or demolition take place without any lawful authority?” Islam asks.

Photo: Courtesy

Upon hearing the petition, the High Court passed an order asking the concerned authorities of the government to immediately stop the demolition of these four historical structures dating back to the Mughal era in Old Dhaka and preserve their historical and archaeological value through the formulation of an integrated plan. The authorities were also asked to explain within four weeks as to why they should not be directed to take necessary steps to update the list of buildings that have heritage value and formulate policies for protecting the sites.

The respondents, including the secretaries to the Ministry of Housing and Cultural Affairs, the chairman, secretary and the concerned authorised officer of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kortripokkho (Rajuk), director general of the Department of Archaeology, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, deputy commissioner of DMP and officer-in-charge of the Kotwali Police Station, need to explain why they have failed to take any clear stance to protect these buildings. 

The writ petition, among other appeals, also addresses the need to initiate a comprehensive programme for heritage conservation in Dhaka by completing the heritage list within one month, thereby, starting the conservation of three major monuments, namely Boro Katra, Chhoto Katra and Ruplal House, and historic streets like B K Das Road and Shakhari Bazar, while initiating a strict protection regime for other historic buildings and their respective buffer zones.

“In the petition, we have emphasised on several issues like the identification and protection of a buffer zone whenever necessary for proper conservation of a listed property and the inclusion of a compensation programme like the TDR (Transfer Development Rights) that seeks to protect landowners' asset value by moving the right to build a house from a location where development is prohibited to a location where development is encouraged,” says Islam. 

Having the buffer zone around the protected monument will ensure that no development project is being undertaken within a certain setback surrounding the monument, so that the historical and aesthetic value of it is not disturbed. 

“If needed, we should consider taking the leap into the compulsory acquisition from private ownership,” he adds.

“There are many residents who have inherited some of these historical monuments from their ancestors and have leased it to others, while many have been conducting businesses there for a long time. We should give them enough incentives to move on and explain how the heritage will be better-off in the ownership of state authorities,” he says. 

The preservation work gets delayed also because of the blame game between the respondents about who would protect these heritage sites and who is responsible for what, according to the expert, who adds that many people take advantage of the negligence of concerned authorities, as they then get to use it for their own benefit.

“While the finalisation of the heritage list is a legitimate demand, I believe that the most significant need is the coordination between Rajuk and the Archaeological Department to avoid financial irregularities,” Islam adds. 

We have seen enough talk but rarely any work in this regard. This time we don't want to fall in this vicious cycle of meetings and committees, rather we want to see some real work being done. We, along with Taimur Islam, truly believe that this petition will be able to accelerate the process of finally getting some work done to protect our heritage from the hands of encroachers and demolishers.