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CHALLENGE
Rohtas Fort situated near the modern town of Jhelum (120 KMs from Islamabad), constructed by Emperor Sher Shah Suri in 1540 AD, is one of the finest specimen of medieval military architecture in Pakistan, the fort was inscribed in the World Heritage List, by UNESCO, in 1997. Heritage structures are unique and irreplaceable and require necessary support for their conservation and preservation along with the provision of basic facilities for the visitors. These basic facilities include signboards to direct and help visitors reach the site, walkways, appropriate local roads, parking places, toilets, especially for women visitors, information bro-chures and booklets, gift shop and information centers.
Since 2000, Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF) has been supporting the Department of Archeology, Ministry of Sports, Tour-ism and Culture and Government of Pakistan in preserving and conserving the Rohtas Fort. This support covered documentation, preparation of site maps and conservation plans, stabilization and repairs of key heritage buildings and structures, landscaping, set-ting up of visitor facilities, and a museum. The site has recently been devolved under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, and handed over to the Archeology Department, Government of Punjab by the Department of Archeology, Government of Pakistan.
INITIATIVE
HWF and the Archeology Department having limited resources and capacity approached USAID’s Small Grants and Ambassador’s Fund Program to restore and upkeep the magnificent beauty of Rohtas Fort. US Ambassador’s Fund Program with an endeavor to conserve the historic Rohtas Fort awarded a grant of USD 25,000 to HWF from December 2012 to August 2013 for the preserva-tion of “Langar Khani” gate, improvement of visitor’s information center, improvement of visual park, installation of lights , repair of toilets and provision of gardening equipment.
RESULT
The Fort is visited by thousands of school, college and university students from Pakistan as well as tourists from all around the world every year. According to a survey conducted by the Department of Archeology in 2010, approximately 150,000 individuals visited Rohtas Fort including 5,000 foreigners. Previously most of visitors returned with little or no knowledge of the Fort, its structural elements, and its history and culture, now with the opening of Sher Shah Suri Museum and Visitors Information Center, the visitors will able to gain some deep insight about the history and significance of this fort.
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