Need to preserve natural heritage stressed : Glimpses into Islamabad’s Soul launched
By Jamal Shahid
ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: There are hundreds of years old architectural marvels and natural heritage, like the banyan trees in our beautiful Islamabad, awaiting reflection. These are our heritage, holding clues to the past, adding richness and depth to the capital’s landscapes.
They provide links to living traditions, and help transform a beautiful walk in the Islamabad’s forests into an unforgettable encounter with history.
Artist and writer, Fauzia Aziz Minallah, embraces them all in her book Glimpses into Islamabad’s Soul.
The experience at the launch of her book on Thursday, at the National Art Gallery (Nag), was something we have probably not seen before.
It wasn’t the visual presentations of the beautiful natural environments of the capital city, the moving text or solemn music accompanying the glimpses. But, it was probably for the first time, that the residents of Islamabad sat quietly, gripped in emotions, as they were made to realize that their city was being stripped of the best of nature and archeological treasures.
Ms Minallah, actually moved her audience to tears as she showed them what their city had, what survives and what might be lost of the ancient heritage for ever.
“The millennium rich historical environment of Islamabad might not have grand forts or palaces but it does span a million years of human history,” said the writer, adding, “This is reflected in ancient rock shelters dating back to the Stone Age, Buddhist, monasteries, Hindu temples, old mosques, Mughal caravanserai, shrines of sufi saints and many more.”
The book, which is also inspired by the paintings of renowned artist, Ghulam Rasool, the writer asserts preservation of nature and cultural heritage is a reflection of our identity that links our past with our present and future.
But, as she counts losses in her book, Ms Minallah, criticises natural beauty sentenced to destruction, especially in sector E- 10 for the new GHQ and the families that have been uprooted as Islamabad continues to transform.
“Unfortunately, there is no balance between modernization and the protection of heritage. We lack a sense of pride in our legacy. In Islamabad, heritage sites are either bulldozed in the process of developing housing schemes, or demolished and built anew, so that they lose their history and authenticity,” she said.
But probably the gist of her argument in the book was the “Heart and soul of almost all the heritage sites of Islamabad, the old banyan or pipal trees,” reminding us of the multi- cultural heritage of the Potohar Plateau, as the author puts it.
“We have lost the grand old banyan called the ‘Buddha Tree’ to religious extremism,” Ms Minallah asserted, adding that she also feared losing the 1,200 year-old “Mother of Nine Children,” the name given to a banyan tree by villagers living in Suniari, in the Margalla hills.
“These trees are a symbol of ‘Tolerance.’ They never ask you your religion, race, caste or nationality. But city planners are too insensitive to conserve the past and are intent on destruction and obliteration of memory,” she said.
“These are natural monuments and national heritage that need to be protected,” urged the author.
Ms Minallah’s book was a rare gift, giving people new ways of seeing their heritage, said the goodwill ambassador to the UN, and renowned showbiz artist, Faryal Gohar, as she rendered Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry, urging one to be mindful to beautiful natural environments rather than worshipping in temples. “Interpretation and education of this book teaches us how to care for culture and heritage,” she added.
Environmentalist, Dr Isa Daudpota, said Ms Minallah was an outstanding artist who used had art to initiate change. “She values trees in her book and valuing trees reflect how we care for our society because they are the symbols of holism. Her book opens eyes to beauty of nature,” said Dr Daudpota.
Renowned archeologist, Prof Ahmad Hassan Dani was the chief guest at the launch ceremony. Dr Dani’s research has also served as guidance to Ms Minallah’s book, which has been published by the Sungi Development Foundation.
Award winning documentary maker, Samar Minallah's documentary 'Tangible and intangible heritage of N.W.F.P' was also shown, which was appreciated by the audience