Taxila no more a promising land for Tourists

Lahore, Mar 31: March and April are considered to be the peak months for foreign tourists at Taxila, but the situation is not so promising this year. It is believed that terrorism and security concerns have taken the toll on tourism, even as terrorists keep themselves away from the troubled area.

As a result, those dependent on earnings from tourism are seen forced to switch over to other businesses. Hotels in the area also suffered, as tourists avoid staying for security reasons, reported the Daily Times. Taxila Museum Assistant Curator Arshadullah said that the number of foreign visitors had declined this year following a wave of suicide attacks across the country. Taxila Museum is located 35 kilometres from Islamabad on the Grand Trunk Road. The museum housed rare sculptures of the Buddha, which were a source of inspiration for many Buddhists visiting the site, the paper quoted him as saying.

The museum surroundings are quite scenic and are famous for the remains of Gandhara art. Most of the sites at Taxila, dating back 600 BCE to 500 CE, are located around the museum. It is an ideal place to learn more about the archaeological significance of the area, archaeologists say.

The museum displays artefacts detailing the daily life of the inhabitants of ancient Taxila, and contains six galleries and original objects found during excavations have been exhibited prominently.

Admitting that there has been a fall in tourism in recent years, a local resident Zahoor said, "I do not know much about the history of these objects but I want them to be protected. For the last 40 years of my life I have been seeing foreigners coming to this place and wish that they come here in the same bulk as they used to be".

ANI