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Bamiyan Heritage Facing More Ruin

Sixteen years after the Taliban destroyed two Buddha sculptures in Bamiyan in March 2001, historical sites are facing even more ruin in the area.

At least eight cultural and archaeological sites are registered at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

However, the required care has not been given to the sites in the province, local officials said.

In mountainous areas around the two Buddha sculptures some families are living in caves.

“We are living here because we don’t have any other alternatives. The government is not paying attention to us and has not attempted to give us another place to live,” Husain Ali, a cave resident said.

Some families were moved to another place in recent years but others are still are at least 130 caves at the area.

“Another family was living here before us. They made different things here and they did all their work here,” Mirwais another cave resident said.

Local officials say the 012 Police Unit has the responsibility of security of all historical sites in Bamiyan.

“The number of the police is not sufficient for this purpose. They are 20 police members who have the responsibility of keeping all the historical sites in Bamiyan. They cannot take care of all the sites,” said Mohammad Isa Azizi, Cultural and Tourism Manager of the Directorate of Information and Culture in Bamiyan.

Bamiyan Heritage Facing More Ruin

At least eight cultural and archaeological sites are registered at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

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Sixteen years after the Taliban destroyed two Buddha sculptures in Bamiyan in March 2001, historical sites are facing even more ruin in the area.

At least eight cultural and archaeological sites are registered at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

However, the required care has not been given to the sites in the province, local officials said.

In mountainous areas around the two Buddha sculptures some families are living in caves.

“We are living here because we don’t have any other alternatives. The government is not paying attention to us and has not attempted to give us another place to live,” Husain Ali, a cave resident said.

Some families were moved to another place in recent years but others are still are at least 130 caves at the area.

“Another family was living here before us. They made different things here and they did all their work here,” Mirwais another cave resident said.

Local officials say the 012 Police Unit has the responsibility of security of all historical sites in Bamiyan.

“The number of the police is not sufficient for this purpose. They are 20 police members who have the responsibility of keeping all the historical sites in Bamiyan. They cannot take care of all the sites,” said Mohammad Isa Azizi, Cultural and Tourism Manager of the Directorate of Information and Culture in Bamiyan.

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