The Department of Archaeology in Barishal is preparing to take over the Lakhutia Zamindar Bari and temple, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Barishal division.

The office has already sent a field investigation report to its head office in Dhaka requesting them to take necessary steps to acquire the ancient site.

The department took the initiative after a Bangladeshi origin Australian citizen, Dr Alpana Roy, one of successors of the Zamidar family, sent a letter to Bangladesh High Commission in Australia last October to protect the heritage site, confirmed Barishal Divisional Museum sources.

Alpana Roy, a solicitor of the High Court in Australia and daughter of Pankaj Roy, expressed her concern for the present situation of the Zamindar Bari and she also demanded protection of the heritage site.

The Zamindar Bari, situated on 49.50 acres of land in Lakhutia village under Babuganj upazila, was built by Rup Chandra Roy in the 17th century.

Currently it is being used by Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) as Multiple Seeds Production firm.

On a recent visit, it was seen that most of the buildings and temple already are ruined, still, a one storied main building, five temples in Zamindar Bari, are still standing on the site, which needs renovation. Thickness of the bricks is 45 cm to 75 cm.

“Recently, we heard that the Zamindar Bari would be demolished for some development works. This news hurts every Roy family members living in Bangladesh and abroad. The entire Roy family is strongly opposed to the move to demolish of the remaining building and temples” Dr Alpana mentioned it in her letter.

Md Shaheen Alam, assistant custodian of Sher-E-Bangla Memorable Museum in the Department of Archaeology of Barishal, said “We already sent a proposal to our department to acquire five acres of land with old building and temple. If we get the permission, this site would be the biggest heritage site in Barishal division.”

Kajol Ghosh, president of Barishal Sangiskritik Sangathan Samonoy Parishad, demanded preservation of this heritage site.

Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, senior assistant director of BADC Lakuthia Seeds Multi Production Firm, said ”We have no budget to protect the building and temple, but if Archeological Department takes initiative to protect this site, we will welcome them.”

Every year a number of travelers come here to visit the site, he added.