President Zardari takes note of deterioration of Kataasraj Temple site

Says historical sites are also part of our civilization and needed to be preserved
Islamabad May 7, 2012: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed concern over the damage to the centuries old Kataasraj temple near Choa Saidan Shah due to the environmental degradation caused by the construction of industrial complexes around the temple and asked for a report from the relevant ministry.
Spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President called for a report today after taking note of a media report that the building of industrial complexes around the Kataasraj temple had destroyed its pristine beauty and threatened the natural water pond with complete extinction.
The natural pond had been in existence for thousands of years attracting pilgrims from far and wide in the South Asian subcontinent. Since ages water flowed from the pond to downstream villages of Wahoola, Tatral and Dulmial without any drop in the pond level that was constantly replenished by the spring waters underneath. However, the industrial units constructed near the site had sucked up groundwater and diverted the flow of the springs resulting in the drying up the pond, the report said.
The President called for restoration in a scientific manner of the ancient sites having historical and religious significance. He said that all ancient and historical sites of significance to followers of any religion were also part of our civilization too and needed to be preserved and protected.