The World Heritage Day was celebrated across the State with a theme — Heritage for Generations — on April 18. The celebrations offer an opportunity to create awareness about the diversity of heritage and the efforts required to protect and conserve the monuments. But, fact the remains that majority of the protected monuments in the State cry for attention.

As many as 278 monuments that were declared as protected by the government in the State. The protected monuments, include temples dating back to 10th century, early historic and buddhist sites, megalithic burials and forts. Barring a few, lack of security, basic facilities and access to public are some of the problems that are galore at these sites.

As many as 15 early historic and Buddhist sites are there in the State. Of them, Lanjakanuma Gutta in Kadapa district, Singarayakonda in Prakasam district, Thotlakonda, Bavikonda and Pavuralakonda in Visakhapatnam district are major Buddhist sites that under the State Archaeology Department supervision. Anantapur district has highest number of protected monuments-48.

Engineering marvels

With no security guard to take care of the monuments, beggars and locals use the premises for sleeping and other purposes. For instance, Campbell aqueduct-cum-road bridge constructed in 1930. The aqueduct, popularly known as Divi aqueduct or Puligadda aqueduct, is one of the engineering marvels, needs proper publicity and maintenance. In fact, there is no caretaker nor proper publicity to attract tourists, sources say.

Comprehensive heritage policy

The Archaeology and Museums Department too is aware of these issues. Pointing out that the encroachments remain a major issue, they stress on the need for a comprehensive heritage policy.

“We are not able to maintain the heritage sites effectively due to lack of funds. As far as security is concerned, proposals were prepared. The government will have to take a decision on deploying security personnel,” said an official, who did not want to be quoted.

Following the lack of interest and conservation efforts by the departments concerned, the monuments face threat of encroachments or are losing their existence. The officials claim that they were clueless on encroachments for various reasons, including shortage of staff. Unless there were regular visits to the sites it was not possible to keep a tab on encroachments, they say.

“The 13th Finance Commission has released Rs. 50 crore for protected monuments in the State. The 14th FC did not sanction any funds. The State government too hasn’t cleared Rs. 3 crore worth bills, which speak volumes of volumes of attention given to protected monuments,” said an official.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National>Andhra Pradesh / by G.V.R. Subba Rao / Vijayawada – April 24th, 2018