The second coordination meeting of the Administration Committee for Mrauk-U Cultural Heritage Site, held on 25 June at the Arakan State cabinet’s office, has decided to carry out effective activities to protect cultural heritage sites in Mrauk-U Township.

Dr Than Htaik, associate secretary of the Administration Committee, said that the committee was going to submit the appropriate documents to the president’s office to get approval for the conservation zone to conduct protective activities for cultural sites in Mrauk-U Township.

“We have already established a cultural heritage conservation zone and it was approved by the regional and union government. After it was endorsed by the President’s Office, the conservation scheme for the cultural sites can be carried out effectively under regulations to comply with the zones,” he said.

The region needs greater protection because cultural icons were destroyed by artillery and gun fire in the region.

Dr Than Htaik said that the meeting made resolutions for the conservation of ancient cultural sites in Mrauk-U including recording each stage of the procedure for submitting a nomination to UNESCO to list Mrauk-U as a world heritage site.

The combat in Mrauk-U Township and vandalism by hooligans who don’t understand the value and significance of cultural heritage sites desecrated the cultural sites in the region.

During the attack in March in Mrauk-U, artillery shells hit the West Myede pagoda and other ancient pagodas on Mt.Rakhamuni causing damage.