Post News Network
Koksara, Dec 25: The tourism and culture department has finally woken up to the need for protection of prehistoric caves and paintings in Haladigundi hill at Gudahandi in tribal-dominated Kalahandi district.
The department has provided funds to the tune of Rs 1 crore for protection and conservation of the place.
The place had been accorded the status of tourist site in the eighties, but due to lack of upkeep, over 50 caves, rare rock paintings and rock edicts continued to get damaged due to rain and erosion.
Earlier, rock inscriptions were found at 40 places but only 10 survived the ravages of time. Locals said if proper steps had been taken, 30 rare rock inscriptions could have been saved from obliteration.
The tourism potential of the place has not been exploited as yet, due to absence of good communication other facilities.
Meanwhile, the tourism and culture department has sent a letter to the district collector, stating its intention of providing Rs 1 crore for the development of the site.
Prehistoric caves of Gudahandi lie amid a sylvan setting with two waterfalls rushing down only 3 km away.
Legend has it that the caves were coming handy for kings during wartime. It is regrettable that no effort has been initiated to decipher the rock inscriptions. Years of neglect has pushed many inscriptions to its natural defacement.
Though locals and members of Dokarichanchara Unnyan Committee, a local outfit, had taken up the matter with the district administration and the state government several times, but nothing was done in this regard.
Block chairperson Jitendra Pradhani said after repeated pleadings, the government has finally paid attention to the prehistoric place. “We expect that funds will be utilised for development of road connectivity, drinking water and other facilities, which are required for a tourist spot,” he added.
It was learnt that a team of experts recently visited the spot before taking up the development works. PNN
