Safeguarding the Heritage: Security measures to be increased at Bagan Cultural Zone

Plans are underway to install the steel grille doors at the pagodas and temples to prevent from the case of burglary at the century old cultural heritage zone.

The sand stone motifs from three ancient pagodas have been lost due to the burglary on April 18th.

To prevent from the occurring the similar cases, the Department of Archeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch), in cooperation with the related departments, is carrying out the strengthen the security measures in the ancient cultural zone.

Deputy Director, Dep’t of Archeology & National Museum, Bagan, Myint Than said "According to investigation, we got back 6 statues from Pagoda No.716, and 2 statues from Pagoda No.418. The Security Forces are continuously making investigation for the remaining statues. We are also planning to install the steel grille doors at the pagodas for security measures."

At present, the field works for installation of steel grille doors are being carried out, and once it completed, the submission will be made for budget allocation.

Deputy Director, Dep’t of Archeology & National Museum, Bagan, Myint Than said "The Engineers from our department are making field works to count the number of steel grille doors and designs to be installed at the pagodas, because of the different measurement among the Pagodas. After that, we will ask for the budget allotments. Moreover, the security guards will be appointed at the remotely situated pagodas."

Bagan has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. There are 3,822 pagodas and temples on the eastern bank of Ayeyawady River and 15 pagodas and temples on the western bank in Bagan Archeological Zone.