Northern Pakistan, Gilgit,
Swat, Chitral, etc, in ancient times was a major route for Indian missionary monks
and nuns going to China and Central Asia and for pilgrims from those areas
going to India. The region is covered with traces of their passing, graffiti, inscriptions,
petroglyphs, images, etc. Now the
government of Pakistan is
considering damming the Indus
River, a project of immense
environmental
consequence but also one that would destroy the thousands of
archaeological sites in the region. Here are images of but some of them.
2 comments:
The welfare of people in Pakistan is probably better served by providing them with electricity than by preserving a load of old graffiti.
Hydro power is relatively cheap and clean as well. Hydro lakes can be stocked with fish to provide income and/or food for people. I think they will win in terms of irrigation as well, and will have some bulwark when monsoons are late or fail. Loads of positives.
Dear Jayarava, good point. Pity it were not possible to have both.
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