World's only surviving Bronze Age metropolis Mohenjodaro faces ruin

Archaeologists have warned that the world's oldest planned urban landscape, Mohenjodaro, in Pakistan is being corroded by salt and could disappear within 20 years, if an urgent rescue plan was not applied.

The world's only surviving Bronze Age metropolis with its clay wall houses, grid system roads, great granaries, baths and drainage systems is crumbling to dust due to extreme weather conditions, the Daily Times reports.

The heritage site is becoming a victim of government neglect, public indifference and tourists' fears of terrorism, the report added.

Mohenjodaro was a major centre of the pre-Hindu Indus civilisation, which dates back to 3000 BC, and was uncovered by the archaeologists in the 20th century.

Last week, international experts and Pakistani officials met in Karachi to draw up an intensive conservation programme to save the site, stabilise its funding and promote awareness about the heritage cite.