Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko arrived in Bagan on 12 June afternoon, and inspected security and conservation measures at the temples.
The Union Minister held a meeting with officials at the Bagan Archaeological Museum yesterday morning.
He said that the ministry is preparing for an implementation report on 18 recommendations of the World Heritage Committee.
The Bagan conservation report is scheduled to be sent back to the committee in December 2021.
He continued to say that the ministry has received complaints on illegal construction of modern building, earth excavation with machines and bulldozers, burying container boxes, soil digging, and driving heavy loaded vehicles on roads and streets of cultural heritage monuments.
The UNESCO has informed the ministry about erecting brick fences in Thiri Piccaya of new Bagan town, construction of walking streets, and fencings in cultural heritage area.
The Union Minister confirmed that the theft of treasures from 12 temples and it is suspected that some sacred objects were stolen from 33 edifices, while the media reports on the thefts from 50 temples have caused worry for the government and people.
The ministry is working to tighten security in this area, will categorize ancient temples for public access in the long-term conservation of cultural heritage site and will help socioeconomic development of local people for enhancement of their cooperation.
Officials have filed lawsuits against the thefts, and detailed information is available on the website and social media page of the ministry.—MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)
