Mrauk-U residents complain of road construction at palace mound

06 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 February 2023, Mrauk-U

Residents of Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township have criticised the junta’s paving of a road at the first tier of Nandawyargon (the palace mound) in the ancient Arakanese archaeological zone.

The laying of the road could negatively affect Mrauk-U’s bid for UNESCO’s World Heritage status, the locals worry.

“The palace mound should not be touched,” said Daw Khin Than, chairperson of the Mrauk-U Cultural Conservation Group. “It must be conserved as it is. It’s not necessary to build a road. There is a path that people can use to go to the first tier. But systematic measures must be taken if a road is to be paved for people to be able to visit the second and third tiers.”

The Department of Archaeology and National Museum is leading the work to build a shortcut through the palace mound, but the department did not consult with local residents prior to road construction, according to locals.

“There is an earth road across the first tier. [The department] is putting it on top of the earth road. We don’t know if it will be a concrete or a tarred road. They started building it earlier this month. And they didn’t consult with people about that,” said one Mrauk-U resident.

Asked by DMG about construction of the road, Director U Kyi Khin of the Mrauk-U branch of the Arakan State Archaeology and National Museum Department declined to comment.

Some ancient pagodas and buildings were damaged during fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) from 2018 to 2020.

The archaeology department is documenting artefacts as it prepares for a field visit of experts from UNESCO.

In December 2021, Myanmar submitted its final proposal to UNESCO as it seeks the prestigious World Heritage recognition for Mrauk-U from the UN cultural agency.