Dr. Cristina Menegazzi, an expert in culture and heritage at UNESCO Pakistan, recently delivered an in-depth analysis on disaster risk management for heritage sites. She highlighted that these sites face multiple threats, often grouped into three main categories: natural disasters, human-induced activities, and agents of deterioration. Natural events such as earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis pose significant risks by causing direct physical damage.
She was addressing at a five-day UNESCO-sponsored workshop held at Mohenjo Daro started 18th Nov. 2024. She stressed on the adoption of nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the ruins of this ancient civilization.
The workshop, brought together experts and specialists from different departments of Sindh. Mr. Arshad Hyder Kamariyo, Divisional Forest Officer, Mr. Ali Haider Gadhi, Senior Conservationist and Mr.Faisal Ahmed, Executive Engineer Irrigation Department attended the workshop among others.
The experts said, that climate change poses both immediate and gradual threats to Mohenjo Daro, including extreme weather events, flooding, temperature fluctuations, and increased humidity. Such challenges can cause structural damage, erosion, and deterioration of the ancient ruins. Recognizing this, experts emphasized the importance of leveraging natural methods, such as enhancing vegetation cover and improving water management systems, to shield the site from weather extremes.
Nature-based solutions also include sustainable landscaping to control water runoff, employing plants that reduce soil erosion and moderating extreme temperature shifts around the site. By integrating these ecological approaches with traditional conservation techniques, the experts hope to create resilient protective measures. They stressed that preserving Mohenjo Daro is not only about protecting Pakistan’s heritage but also about demonstrating the global value of cultural adaptation in the face of climate change.