The transfer of burials from the flood zone of the Rogun reservoir has begun
In the area of the construction of the Rogun Dam, the process of transferring more than two dozen cemeteries and individual burials that fall under flooding to fill the reservoir has begun.
The document “Rogun Dam Project – Updated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment”, published on the portal of JSC Rogun Dam, notes that this step has become necessary due to the direct impact of construction work on sacred cultural heritage sites.
The authors of the document emphasize that the process of resettlement of burials is carried out in accordance with the international standards of the World Bank and with the involvement of relevant authorities, specialists and local communities.
It is noted that according to the results of a comprehensive ethnographic survey conducted in 2023, 25 cemeteries and individual burials to be moved were identified. Many of them have high cultural, historical and spiritual significance for local communities. Despite the policy of avoiding touching sacred objects, in this case the transfer turned out to be inevitable.
“The priority measure is to minimize damage, including through the transfer of cemeteries to new locations, as close as possible to the resettlement sites of the communities themselves,” the document says.
A process in compliance with international standards
The work is carried out in compliance with the World Bank Standards ESS5 (forced resettlement) and ESS8 (protection of cultural heritage). Before any actions to exhume and transfer the remains, permission from the Ministry of Justice, local authorities, as well as consultations with the Ministry of Health and specialized institutions for the protection of cultural heritage are required.
If the burials are of an archaeological nature, the participation of the Institute becomes mandatory. Ahmad Donishe, who assesses the need for scientific research.
Consultations with relatives and clergy are mandatory
Before starting any work with the remains, the project team consults with representatives of the affected population, including relatives of the deceased, clergy and community leaders. Special attention is paid to the notification and provision of time to prepare for the necessary cultural and religious ceremonies. Even if there are no living relatives left, sacred ties between communities and burial sites are taken into account.
All stages of the movement are accompanied by detailed documentation: from registration of tombstones and their condition to a description of the position of the remains and items of burial equipment. Excavations are carried out under the supervision of professional archaeologists, and in the case of soft tissue detection — with the participation of certified specialists and compliance with sanitary requirements.
When exhuming human remains, specialists follow internationally recognized protocols: body orientation, bone condition, the presence of objects, as well as biographical information, if available, are recorded. All data is documented in special forms.
In case of discovery of archaeological artifacts or violations, the procedure is stopped and the competent authorities, including the police, are notified.
New burial sites – in coordination with communities
The selection of new burial sites takes place within the framework of public consultations and taking into account cultural norms. If necessary, the territories are re-consecrated or prepared for reburial in accordance with religious requirements. In some cases, an archaeological assessment of potential new sites is carried out in order to avoid repeated impact on cultural layers.
The process of transferring burials is considered part of a responsible approach to the implementation of a large-scale infrastructure project. Despite the inevitable impact on cultural heritage sites, emphasis is placed on respect for the memory of the deceased, observance of religious traditions and participation of local communities in all stages of the work.
“The project demonstrates an attempt to maintain a balance between the development and preservation of cultural identity, which is of particular importance in a multi–ethnic and multi-confessional Tajikistan,” the document says.
Pairav Chorshanbiyev (Asia-Plus)
Original (in Russian): Начался перенос захоронений из зоны затопления Рогунского водохранилища
