Urgent need to protect and

Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha /June 08 :
International historian and researcher Dr. Gurinder Pal Singh Josan has emphasized the urgent need to preserve and systematically document sites associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s travels (udasis), noting that these places are not only of religious significance but also invaluable sources of regional cultural heritage. Dr. Josan specifically referred to an ancient shaytut (mulberry) tree in the Bukara area, which local tradition dates to around 1470 CE and associates with Guru Nanak Sahib Ji’s recitation of rabbi bani.
Dr. Josan said the ancient tree and its surrounding landscape hold special importance in oral traditions. According to local accounts, Guru Nanak Dev Ji stopped here with his two principal companions, Bhai Mardana Ji and Bhai Bala Ji, where through kirtan and discourses he conveyed messages of truth, love, tolerance and humanity. These memories and traditions have shaped communal religious life over centuries and contributed to the community’s shared identity.
He warned that rapid urbanization, uncontrolled construction and natural decay are threatening these historic places, making their identification, conservation and scientific documentation all the more critical. Dr. Josan proposed a multi‑faceted initiative involving local administration, archaeology departments, religious bodies, civil society and academic researchers. Recommended actions include:
Site surveys and mapping, recording oral traditions, and compiling historical evidence.
Biocultural conservation of trees and surrounding environments, including health assessments and preservation measures.
Community training and awareness programmes to empower local custodianship.
Installing information panels, creating museum displays or digital archives to make interpretive material accessible.
Dr. Josan further stressed that Guru Nanak Sahib Ji’s universal teachings—truth, equality, service and humanity—remain highly relevant in today’s global context. He noted that conserving these sites is not merely about protecting physical landmarks but also about safeguarding the social values and messages transmitted through them. Properly preserved and documented sites will help foster intercommunal understanding and cultural continuity for future generations.
Concluding his appeal, Dr. Josan called on local authorities, religious management committees and civil society to collaborate on a concrete policy framework that includes funding, legal protection, regular monitoring and educational programming. He cautioned that failure to act in a timely manner could result in irreversible loss of unique historical heritage.