Looters target Bagan temple relics amid tourism collapse
The tourism slump in Myanmar is forcing cash-strapped people to take desperate measures.
Thieves are plundering the ancient temples of Bagan for valuable relics, as armed police now patrol the ancient UNESCO world heritage city.
It is not an easy task with more than 3,000 monuments spread out across 20 square miles.
"Our security forces are patrolling day and night. We have it under control for the moment, but it’s a challenge," said Police lieutenant colonel Sein Win told AFP.
Empty hotels and deserted streets have heavily affected the local tourism-reliant economy.
Police said there was a spate of robberies in June with a dozen temples looted.
Various relics were stolen, including copper stupas, coins and jade jewellery.
Some relics date back a thousand years.
Myint Than, deputy director of Bagan’s archaeological department says there was never a looting problem in the past when tourism was growing.
He suspects it is the work of outsiders as locals would not ‘betray their heritage’ even though many are in dire financial need.
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