Even the structures that have been declared as protected sites are not getting due attention from the department concerned. A report published in this daily on Friday last gives a tragic account of the Nabaratna Temple in Sirajganj. The temple built over 300 years ago is now on the verge of ruination. Its existence is threatened in the absence of renovation work. Incredible though it may sound, the temple has been renovated only once in 300 years! And that's a clear violation of all rules of preserving old structures and monuments.

The government officials concerned have said that the temple was badly damaged in the devastating earthquake of 1897. That was a natural disaster over which humans had no control, but the sad truth is that no attempt was made to renovate the temple after the earthquake. The most plausible explanation is that people were not that sensitive to the need for protecting such structures in those days. But, regrettably enough, things have not changed much even today, though everybody is apparently aware of the great value of these structures.

Apart from taking us back to the dim and distant past, these monuments are objects of great beauty and education that can attract people from all over the world. The quality of craftsmanship that went into the building of such structures can still greatly impress the modern connoisseur.

Nabaratna Temple is not the only old structure that has been subjected to such neglect. There are many old buildings in the country the life span of which can be extended greatly with a little care and maintenance spared for them. But somehow that is not happening.

The Archeological Department has to address the issue and take immediate corrective steps to save these buildings and monuments which link us to history.