Conservation efforts are currently being made over a hundred stupas within the Mrauk U Ancient Cultural Zone in Rakhine State, according to the Department of Archaeology and Museums for Mrauk U.
The conservation efforts began in January this year and are on-going.
“The stupas were all completely covered in vines and vegetation. The clearing of flora is being done out of respect. The grasses are difficult to maintain; once you’ve cleared one side, they’ve grown tall on the other.”
said U Nyein Lwin, director of the Mrauk U Department of Archaeology.
The Rakhine State government has provided Ks124m to cover conservation expenses, of which K60,000 (US$50) a day is spent on employing 20 workers to handle maintenance of the stupas, over 80 stupas have already been cleared. “The meaning of the initiative is to allow for a good view of the pagodas. Efforts have also seen that entrances into some of the overgrowth of grass on the pagodas has been cleared.” said U Than Myint, vice chair of the Mrauk U Ancient Cultural Heritage Conservation Organization.
Conservation efforts are also being conducted on the Alannipuya, Letwelpisidaw and Kyinngantat pagodas, Shinmyawah statue - together with other stupas within the Mrauk U Ancient Cultural Zone - as part of the new government’s ‘100-day plan.’
Myitmakha News Agency
