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Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Experts' warnings on footfall & soil health for Mahabodhi tree ignored
1 2 Gaya: While several expert recommendations for preserving the health of the sacred Mahabodhi tree, revered by millions of Buddhists and others globally, have been effectively implemented, two crucial measures remain unaddressed – restricting visitor footfall to reduce soil compaction and replacing marble tiles around the tree with porous sandstone ones. Both steps are considered essential to ensure the smooth absorption of nutrients by the tree's roots. The Mahabodhi tree symbolises Lord Buddha's enlightenment and his transformation from a wandering prince to a spiritual guide. Responsibility for monitoring the health of the revered tree was entrusted to the Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute (FRI) several years ago, following a major health scare involving premature leaf fall and a mealybug infestation, a condition primarily linked to soil contamination. Since then, plant scientists from the FRI have conducted thorough health assessments every six months and remain on standby in case of any signs of abnormality. Earlier, experts including NSK Harsh and Subhash Nautiyal from the FRI made a series of recommendations. These included a complete ban on the burning of oil lamps and incense sticks in the tree's proximity, strict prohibition on touching the tree, especially for plucking leaves or tying threads for wish fulfilment, and replacing high-intensity electric bulbs with lower-intensity lighting. They also advised ensuring darkness during nighttime hours to aid respiration and facilitate photosynthesis. Other recommendations included limiting the number of visitors within the shrine at any one time to prevent crowding and soil compaction and replacing the non-porous marble flooring with porous sandstone tiles to improve water and nutrient absorption by the tree's roots. While several of these recommendations, such as bans on oil lamp and incense burning, protection from physical contact, allowing natural decomposition of fallen leaves, and replacing high-intensity lights, have been implemented, the two key suggestions on footfall limitation and flooring replacement have yet to be acted upon. During his tenure as ex-officio chairperson of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee, the then district magistrate, Abhishek Singh, had virtually ruled out limiting footfall. "So many people from different parts of the world visit Bodh Gaya to have a glimpse of the seat of Buddha's enlightenment and refusing them entry at their convenient time would not only hurt religious sentiments but also adversely impact Bodh Gaya's economy, which is almost entirely dependent on tourists and pilgrims," he had argued. When asked about the current status of these unimplemented recommendations, secretary of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee, Mahashweta Maharathi, said, "The recommendations must have been made before I took over as secretary. I will have to look into the files before making any comment on the issue."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Tibetans plan to secure heritage buildings in quake-prone Dharamshala
Dharamshala: The Tibetan stone buildings with colourful porch columns, yellow bands, red-sheet roofing, so much a part of Dharamshala's architectural tapestry, are set to undergo a seismic change, literally. Understanding the vulnerability of the town to earthquakes and the high concentration of culturally and politically important institutions around the place, Tibetan planners have started looking for ways to secure the safety of these buildings. A New York-based architecture and engineering firm, Studio Nyandak, has begun the process for Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) of the Central Tibetan Administration's buildings and will soon submit a comprehensive plan to guide their earthquake preparedness efforts. The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) building in Dharamshala, which houses many important manuscripts and artefacts bought from Tibet, is one of the few buildings that has already been retrofitted for earthquake resistance. The issue was highlighted during a two-day conference titled "Architectural Heritage and Dharamsala Earthquake Resilience," which brought together architects, engineers, and experts to explore the critical intersection of preserving Tibetan architectural traditions and preparing for the region's high seismic vulnerability. Speaking on occasion, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) director Geshe Lhakdor said, "Dharamshala is the residence of the Dalai Lama and the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile. A major earthquake here could have devastating consequences for the entire Tibetan exile community. That's why we must take this threat seriously." A number of cultural and historical treasures are currently at risk in the LTWA main library building and the Tsuglag Khang complex, the residence of the Dalai Lama. These buildings contain collections of significant manuscripts, bronzes, and thangkas (scroll paintings) brought out of Tibet by refugees. Many of the manuscripts and bronzes are several centuries old and represent the last physical links to monasteries destroyed by the Chinese government during the Cultural Revolution. Studio Nyandak founder Tenzin Nyandak said RVS of buildings at Upper Tibetan Children's Village assessing their earthquake risk levels has been completed, and similar assessments are planned for Delek Hospital and Men-Tsee-Khang, the Tibetan Medical and Astro-Science Institute, though funding remains a major challenge, especially for retrofitting high-risk buildings. Admitting that improvements in older projects are limited due to pre-existing plans, he is hopeful that engineering standards, soil testing, and seismic safety are incorporated into new constructions. Structural engineer Dechen Tsogyal from Studio Nyandak noted that the region lies in seismic zones 4 and 5, making it highly prone to large-scale earthquakes. Referencing the 1905 Kangra earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8, Tsogyal said that, according to geological studies, a similar event is expected to occur again within the next 50 to 200 years. Traditional Tibetan architecture, as seen in most monasteries and heritage buildings around Dharamshala, is not inherently earthquake-safe. While traditional Tibetan construction excels in aspects such as climate adaptability and the use of local materials, it generally lacks features critical for seismic resistance. The 1905 Kangra earthquake caused around 20,000 deaths despite the region's small population at the time. Geo-hazards study A study carried out in 2006 by GeoHazards International (GHI), a non-profit working towards global earthquake safety, found numerous earthquake vulnerabilities that endanger the Tibetan community's efforts to preserve its cultural heritage. The assessment team found numerous seismic vulnerabilities in the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives campus, at the Tsuglag Khang complex and in the Upper Dharamsala community that threaten the people, collections of culturally significant objects and materials, and cultural institutions during earthquakes that may strike the area. The study had pointed out that Tsuglag Khang's collections of manuscripts, thangkas, and bronze and clay images lack seismic protection measures.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- The Hindu
Dalai Lama lays foundation stone of new Chowkhang Vihara monastery in Ladakh
The Dalai Lama on Sunday (August 3, 2025) in Leh laid the foundation of the Chowkhang Vihara for reconstruction. The event drew a large gathering of religious leaders, local dignitaries, and community members. At the Chowkhang Vihara, the 14th Dalai Lama was received by Ladakh Buddhist Association president Chering Dorjay Lakruk. The reception featured traditional Ladakhi music and ceremonial offerings of khattaks. "Let this not be a place for only ritual prayers and idle chatter but a centre for deep study and debate on Buddhist philosophy, a wellspring of wisdom for generations," the Tibetan spiritual leader said after laying the foundation. Mr. Lakruk called the event a historic moment for the region. He said a request had been made to his holiness to come to the event some three months back. "This is perhaps the greatest blessing we could receive. The whole of Ladakh is touched by auspicious winds today," he said. The temple, constructed in 1957, is up for reconstruction after developing cracks and other damage due to floods. The Dalai Lama reached Leh on July 12 on a month-long tour of the region.
