Better disaster management needed at Sonar fort: Experts

JAISALMER: The natural calamity in Nepal raises concern closer home for the 858-year-old Sonar fort in Jaisalmer that houses a population of nearly 3,000 people. The largest living fort sits on the seismic zone-II and has experienced three earthquakes in the past that have tilted the fort's hill due to underground movement.

Since the fort is also a World Heritage monument, a report was prepared at the behest of the Archeological Survey of India by a Mumbai-based agency. "The final report of the movement and tilting of the hill has been handed over to ASI in February 2012 in which surprising facts came to light. Based on the report, ASI has decided to keep a watch on the underground movement of the hill," said D C Deshpandey from Collaborative Urban Design and Conservation Pvt Ltd, Mumbai.

Deshpandey in his report said that Geological survey of India report confirms that the sand of the fort is 154-lakh-year old. This sand is getting eroded now and water seepage in the foundation of the fort is making it hollow. Besides, the water is also getting accumulated in the rocks below making the foundation hollow and vulnerable.

In another report submitted to the union government, former National Disaster Management senior officer Brig B K Khanna has pointed out that Jaisalmer falls in earthquake zone-II. There were three earthquakes in the past: November 8, 1991 (5.6 on Richter scale), January 26, 2001 (7.7 magnitude) and on March 22, 2011 (7.6 on the Richter scale). These earthquakes have already caused heavy damage to the fort.

Apart from that, from the disaster management point of view, the fort only has one gate that in case of an evacuation is absolutely insufficient. "With a population of 3,000 people, one gate is not sufficient and at least two more new gates should be made in the fort, so that at the time of disaster, these gates could provide quick evacuation," said Khanna.

The degrading condition of the fort has been a reason of concern for several years but nothing has been done about it. There are 40-50 houses in the fort that are in a dilapidated condition, with their owners living away. In case of a calamity, these buildings could prove dangerous. Apart from this, there is no disaster management equipment in place, endangering the lives of not just the residents but also the tourists.

"Hotels, guest houses in the city and the fort should have disaster management equipment, which is not there. District administration has to take action in this regard along with hotel owners. Owners and managers should be trained to enable them respond quickly at the time of disaster. But apart from that we strongly recommend making two more gates in the fort," said Khanna.

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