In the face of persistent demands from archaeologists, architects, media people and cultural activists, the government invoked the Antiquities Act 1968 to protect the town, home to 50 old buildings, mostly vested property.

Directed by the president, Joint Secretary Abu Taher signed the order in March listing the structures on more than 10 acres in Sonargaon upazila under Narayanganj district.

Panam, known as 'Haveli Sonargaon' at the height of its glory, now consists of the relics of old buildings made of small bricks on either side of a road surrounded by trenches.

During the British rule, the English rulers built a modern building, the company 'kuthi,' there.

From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, Hindu landlords and the merchants put up residential quarters on both sides of the road.

Two bridges on the Pankhiraz canal between Dulalpur and Panam add to the archeological riches of the old town and speak of opulent Mughal architecture.

The deputy commissioner of Narayanganj leased out some of the structures in the past, said Dewan Delwar Hossain, director of archeology department.

"Virtually we are yet to do anything with Panam. We have submitted a Tk 13 crore project to the government and expect to plunge into action after the government approval," the director told The Daily Star yesterday.

Following the government order, some locals have thrown up new houses in the protected area with the intention of making some quick money as compensation from the government during eviction.

At least four newly corrugated iron roofs shone in bright sunlight to announce their existence on Friday.

But all other historic buildings nearby stood in virtual ruin: Images carved on their pillars and walls were peeling off, doors and windows rotting and rickety cast iron grills falling apart.

Locals occupied some of the buildings as residents or trade centres, adding pace to their destruction by utter neglect.

Saidur Rahman, chairman of Sonargaon Pourasabha, has been living at the Nilkuthi changing its original design and structure. A new veneer of plaster sat incongruously on the wall of the kuthi, a building constructed by British indigo traders.

The chairman said the Nilkuthi was his personal property that he inherited from his father who bought it from the government.

"The chairman will have to leave the Nilkuthi as it sits in the protected area now," said Mohammed Abu Musa, director of the Bangladesh Folk Art and Craft Foundation at Sonargaon.

"It's a really praiseworthy decision of the government to save our heritage," he added.

Archaeological engineer Abdul Hakim said his team would conduct a survey in the Panam area to find out personal property there.

"Compensation would be given to the real property owners," he said.

Hakim said he was aware of new settlers in Panam town and would take necessary steps.