Renovation work is in progress on three ancient lake in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bagan, NyaungU township, Mandalay region, according to the Archaeology and National Museum Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture.
These lakes to be renovated are reported to be Ahlan Bagan lake, Maroe lake which is locally known as Ahlelkan, and Nwun Lettaphet lake.
“We are conducting surveys of ancient Bagan-era lakes. Recorded data shows that there were over 100 lakes and we have confirmed over 70 lakes of them, so far. We won’t be dredging these three lakes but we will be raising the embankment using sediment from other lakes rather than easily accessible nearby earth dug by bulldozers. This is in accordance with the guidelines set by the Archaeology Department,” said director U Kyaw Swa Win from the Archaeology and National Museum Department.
Recognizing not individual pagodas but the whole pagoda-filled area, the ancient Bagan cultural zone was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 6 July 2019, following the unanimous approval by all 21 member states of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
Repairs to the damaged pagodas affected by the 2016 Bagan earthquake have been completed. After reviewing the management activities during the interim period between the 2021 flood and the 2023 Mocha cyclone, three drains have been dug to prevent flooding and water encroachment into moats, said the department.
“A total of 3837 pagodas are being carefully maintained. We are also repairing Buddha images. We have finished repairing four, including table images and sitting statues,” he said.
Thit Taw/ZN
Join Our Telegram Channel https://t.me/GNLMNews
