AJANTA ELLORA CONSERVATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT A REPORT MAHARASHTRA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Transcription

1 AJANTA ELLORA CONSERVATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT A REPORT MAHARASHTRA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

2 Ajanta-Ellora Conservation & Tourism Development Project Phase-I Background of the Project : Caves of Ajanta and Ellora, which are accredited the status of 'World Heritage Sites' by UNESO are located in Aurangabad District of Maharashtra State. Their vicinity is called the Ajanta Ellora Region, where are located many ancient monuments and sites of ecological significance. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) got prepared in 1991, a Master Plan from M/s. Tata Consultancy Services on the basis of which the Government of India requested the Government of Japan to consider grant of Financial Assistance for the project. The Government of Japan got the Master Plan assessed by the Overseas Economic Co-operation Fund (OECF) now Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) and offered Loan assistance to Government of India for implementation of a part of the Master Plan as Phase I of the Project. The two Governments entered into an agreement for the Loan in January A joint venture of Pacific Consultants International (PCI) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) were appointed in November 1993 as Consultants for planning and overseeing the implementation of the works under the Loan. The Principal objectives of the Master Plan are : Objectives :- o To conserve and preserve monuments and natural resources in the Ajanta Ellora region. o To Improve infrastructure in order to accommodate increased number of tourists to the region and enhance their experience by providing improved facilities and services. 2

3 Project Components Conservation Monuments. Up-gradation of core infrastructure - Water supply, electricity, communication Improve Accessibility - Airport, roads, connection from important rail heads Environment Management - Afforestation, low pollution local transportation, removing encroachments Visitor Management System - Circulation plans, landscaping, tourists amenities, cave illumination, signage Media and Publicity - National & international print and audio-visual publicity The total project cost was estimated at Yen 4,406 million, which was equal to Rs Million at the exchange rate of Rs. 1 equals Yen The support from JBIC was Yen 3,745 million (Rs Million) and this is around 85% of the total project cost. The Major works completed in Phase - I 3

4 MONUMENT CONSERVATION (Implementing Agency : Archaeological Survey of India) Improvement of approach path to the caves, Procurement of conservation and logistic equipment, Geological investigations of caves for formulating conservation plan. Structural Conservation of facades 4

5 Chemical Conservation To arrest weathering of external rock surfaces & monuments Cleaning of Paintings & Sculptures Slow & Specialized work Undertaken after detailed research 5

6 Preservation of Rock Surface & Prevention of Water Seepage Tourists Circulation Plan 6

7 ROADS (Implementing Agency : Public Works Department) Up gradation & widening of Kms. of road in Ajanta Ellora Region connecting Aurangabad Ajanta Caves Road (113.6 kms.) Aurangabad Daulatabad Road (12.68 kms.) Aurangabad - Ellora Road (14.00 kms.) Khultabad Phulambri Road (26.4 kms.) Mitmita-Varzadi-Ellora Road (21.20 kms.) Pathway from View Point to Ajanta Caves by fair road connectivity to Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Improving Accessibility From Aurangabad & Regional Interconnectivity 7

8 Upgradation of Roads Mitmita-Varzadi-Ellora Road Pune-Jalgaon Road at Golegaon Daulatabad-Ellora Road Near Khultabad T-point 8

9 AIRPORT (Implementing Agency : National Airport Authority) Extension of existing runway of 6000 ft. to 7500 ft. Installation of ILS and other navigational equipment, Strengthening of runway, Air conditioning of departure lounge and Erection of boundary wall. Improving Aurangabad Airport Infrastructure 9

10 ELECTRICITY (Implementing Agency: Maharashtra State Electricity Board) Augmentation of electric supply at Ajanta and Ellora, and provision of related supply network. Augmenting Electricity Capacity 10

11 WATER SUPPLY (Implementing Agency : Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran) Raising height of Tondapur Dam, Installation of filtration plants and Water Supply System at Ajanta and Ellora. Improving Water Supply Quantity & Quality 11

12 Improvement of Environment & Ambience AFFORESTATION (Implementing Agency : Forest Department) Afforestation of 500 Ha of forest at Ajanta caves Afforestation of 237 Ha. Around Ellora Caves Totaling 737 Ha. in the region has been completed. Fencing around plantation and rearing of trees. Afforestation at Ajanta Afforestation at Ajanta Afforestation at Ellora 12

13 Improvement to Pathway from Ajanta View Point to Ajanta Cavaes Foot Hills in Forest Area ( Implemented by Public Works Department) 13

14 Landscaping at Ajanta View Point, Ajanta Garden and Ellora Cave No. 16 (Kailas Temple) (M.T.D.C.) Ajanta View Point ( Garden, Fencing and Parking area) Ajanta Forest Garden 14

15 Landscaping at Ellora Cave No. 16 and Parking Cave No. 16 (Before landscaping) Cave No. 16 (after landscaping) (Parking area,ellora) 15

16 VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (VMS) (Implementing Agency : M.T.D.C.) Preparation of media film, brochure, guide map, leaflets and posters in national and international languages. Signage in the project region. 16

17 Directional Signage Site Signage 17

18 Sulabh Suvidha Kendra at Ajanta Foot Hills (M.T.D.C. Managed by Sulabh International) Removal of encroachment and Landscaping at Ajanta Foot Hills 18

19 Generator Room and Equipments for Illumination of caves with Fibre Optics System ( C.P.W.D.) 19

20 The above works were undertaken during Phase-I. In the meanwhile there was a balance of approximately Rs.380 million from the loan amount due to the depreciation of Rupee, after the signing of the loan agreement. The loan agreement has been extended to 31st March 2002 and further works are undertaken based on the recommendations of 5th Steering Committee meeting. The works including the extended phase are completed in February Phase I & Extended Phase Expenditure In Rs. Million S. No. Sub Project Impl. Agency Estimated Cost Actual Exp. Reimburse ment 1 Monument Conservation ASI Phase 1 Programme Extended Phase-I Total National Airport Authority AAI Phase 1 Programme Extended Phase-I Total Afforestation FD Phase 1 Programme Extended Phase-I Total Roads PWD Phase 1 Programme Extended Phase-I Total Water Supply and Sewerage MJP Phase 1 Programme Total Electric Power Supply MSEB Phase 1 Programme Total Visitor Management System MTDC Phase 1 Programme Extended Phase-I Total Phase 1 Programme MOT Extended Phase-I Total Phase 1 Programme Extended Phase-I Grand Total

21 Creation of Parking Node, Bus Bay and Shopping Complex at T-Junction, Ajanta Caves ( C.P.W.D.) 21

22 Purchase of 10 Euro-I type buses ( 5Airconditioned and 5 Non air-conditioned) Activity is run by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation. 22

23 DATA ON VISITORS AT THE CENTRALLY PROTECTED MONUMENTS FOR THE YEAR , & Year Ajanta Caves Ellora Caves Bibi-Ka- Maqbara Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad Caves Indian Foreigner Total Indian s Foreigner Total Indian Foreigner Total Source : Ticket sold by Archaeological Survey of India at the Monuments. 23

24 Ajanta & Ellora What it represents today A secure comfortable & enchanting destination boasting two world heritage sites More than 30,000 Sq ft of wall/ ceiling paintings representing art form since Circa 200 B.C narrating Jataka stories A confluence of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu heritage & cultures housed in more than 70 exquisitely carved caves A monolith temple (Kailasha) carved from a 225,000 ton single rock mass, excavated top down, into a spectacular temple of art & culture 24

25 AJANTA ELLORA CONSERVATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Phase - II The second phase of the Ajanta-Ellora conservation and tourism development project with the Japanese Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC) sanctioning a soft loan of Rs.300 crores has become effective from July 31, The loan clearance was announced after the JBIC held a series of talks with the central department of Tourism and Culture and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in Delhi. The first phase of the Ajanta -Ellora heritage circuit up gradation scheme has won appreciation not only from the Japanese but also from UNESCO. The second phase envisages taking forward the conservation and a development scheme initiated in the first phase, and is estimated to Rs.360 crores. The remaining Rs.60 crores will be brought in by various agencies like the Archaeological Survey of India, Airport Authority of India and five state government agencies. The second phase will be completed in five year time and will generate additional employment in the Aurangabad Ajanta area. This time, the funds are being utilize for not only the restoration of the Ajanta and Ellora caves but for the entire cave circuit of Maharashtra, which streches from Mumbai to Aurangabad. The plan envisages development and repair in the Elephanta caves, Nasik Ghat, Malshej Ghat, the Shivneri fort as well as forts around Bhaja and Bedsa. Aurangabad's fabulous but long-neglected heritage monuments will also be spruced up. These include the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Soneri Mahal, Delhi Gate, Makai Gate, Bhadkal Gate, in the Aurangabad. Pitalkhora caves, Daulatabad Fort and the 25

26 Patnadevi temple. The work to be carried out at these places includes structural reinforcement, chemical conservation of the paintings and artifacts, preservation of percolation within the caves, upgrading the environment, training conservation staff and improving visitor management system. Another major area of development will be the Lonar Crater, one of the oldest meteorite impact crater in the world (in Buldhana District). Last year, the MTDC built a resort near the crater to attract tourists. Now it plans to clean up the ancient temples on the beach of the lake in the crater and create heritage walks while simultaneously protecting the lake and wooded environs of the crater. Another important project that will be completed in the second phase is up-grading Aurangabad airport into an international airport. 26

27 AJANTA ELLORA CONSERVATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Phase - II Type of work Estimated cost in Million. Rs. Implementing Agency Monument Conservation 368 ASI Improvement of Airport 607 AAI Afforestation 14 Maharashtra Forest Department Improvement of roads 185 Maharashtra P.W.D. Water Supply Systems 49 Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran Tourist complexes at Ajanta & Ellora with interpretation centers and replica caves 532 MTDC Public Awareness Activities Human Resource Development Computerization of Tourist Information Micro Credit Lonar Conservation and Development State Archaeological Monuments Additional sub projects in vicinity of Buddhist caves circuit Contingency 270 Consulting Services MTDC 9 MTDC 18 MTDC 5 MTDC 25 MTDC 9 MTDC 237 MTDC Interest during construction 194 Total Project Cost 2992 Rs. in million 27

28 The brief description of work being undertaken by each implementing agency is given below: MONUMENT CONSERVATION ( Executing Agency : Archaeological Survey of India) It covers implementing short and long term measures for the conservation & preservation at Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Pitalkhora Caves, Aurangabad Caves, Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, Kanari Caves, Elephanta and Nasik Caves. It also includes project packages of ASI (Chemical Branch) for Chemical Conservation of Monuments, Survey and Maintenance/Operation of Equipment & purchase of equipment s for the conservation laboratory at Aurangabad & detailed documentation of heritage monuments. The proposed project package include: Protection of rock mass. Prevention of Water seepage in the caves. Slope stability of caves and adjoining hills. Conservation & Preservation/ protection of sensitive paintings. Surface water management. Landscaping the adjoining region. Visitor management Restoration of essential/structural elements and Investigation/exploration of surroundings. AURANGABAD AIRPORT (Executing Agency Airport Authority of India) To facilitate domestic and international flights to land in Aurangabad the airport facilities are planned to be upgraded. After the up-gradation wide-bodied aircraft s operated by charter flight operators could land at Aurangabad Airport. This development will significantly boost the international tourist traffic to the region. 28

29 The proposed project package include: Construction of new passenger terminal building and Ancillary support facilities. Construction of new apron 500x400 and construction of taxi track. AFFORESTATION ( Forest Department, Maharashtra) Afforestation of land in Ajanta-Ellora Region. This will help in improving vegetation cover, which will prevent soil erosion and will reduce pollution in the vicinity of the caves. The proposed project package include: Afforestation at Daulatabad, Maliwada & Mitmita, Daulatabad and surroundings Information and Maintenance: Erection of fire towers, Fire line cutting every year, Fire fighting equipments, Display card on trees Tourist facilities at Gawatala sanctuary: Camping and Accommodation facilities, Establishment of nature trails and watch towers. ROAD (Executing Agency:Public Works Department, Maharashtra State) The following roads are recommended for up gradation in phase-2 1. Improvement of Bhusawal-Jamner-Pahur road(41.3 km) 2. Improvement of Satkund-Pitalkhora road (10 km) All the roads lead to important tourist destinations and the proposed improvements will lead to reduction in travel time & commuting costs. The towns/villages in the vicinity of these roads will also benefit. 29

30 WATER SUPPLY (Executing Agency : Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran) The existing water supply scheme will take care of water supply & sanitation at tourist destinations at Ellora caves, Ajanta View Point. This facility will benefit tourists visiting the above tourist destinations. TOURISM MARKETING & VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ( MTDC) Development of Ajanta Tourist Complex : which includes construction of visitor information center, arrival area, interpretation center, site museum, virtual reality hall, cave replicas, restaurants, plazas & service areas. Development of Ellora Tourist Complex : which includes construction of visitor center, arrival area, interpretation center, site museum, virtual reality hall, restaurants, plazas & service areas. Public Awareness Activities: for promotion of Maharashtra and Buddhist circuits along with Ajanta Ellora region using press, print, audio visual and electronic media. Human Resource Development : This will take care of training to staff for maintenance and operation of tourism destinations, visitor management service, tourism planning and environment conservation, etc. Computerisation of Tourist Information : Conservation of State Archaeological Monuments: The following gates and temples in & around Aurangabad : Soneri Mahal, Delhi gate, Makai gate, Bhadkal gate are to be conserved & preserved. 30

31 Development of Lonar Crater: This includes construction of pathway, fencing work, construction of toilet, clearing of prosopis plants, restoration, conservation, creation of visitor information and management system. Additional sub projects in the vicinity of the Cave : This will include development of Elephanta Caves, River front development of Nasik Ghat, Development of Malshej ghat, Development around Bhaja and Bedsa, Development of Shivneri fort near Junner caves, Development of Rustic valley. The development work will include the improvement of access roads, signage, power and water infrastructure at these tourist destinations. MICROCREDIT FOR LOW INCOME TOURIST SERVICE PROVIDERS: This is the first scheme of its kind in tourism sector in India and will aim to organize and train service providers at tourist sites who are other wise considered nuisence by tourists and planners alike, but are essential part of Indian tourism scenario. Along with the development of infrastructure in the Aurangabad, Nasik and Elephanta/Ghorapuri regions there is a need to cater to small routine necessities of tourists, which are today met by mushrooming hawkers whose service to tourists leave much to desire. The micro financing sub projects would aim at organizing, training and financing this low income segment. Women entrepreneurs will be given preference and suitable NGOs have been identified to train, disburse and monitor the micro credit funding and recovery. The beneficiaries include small restaurants, tea shops, kiosks, guides, photographers, hawkers, fruit vendors, taxi operators. This would make them more presentable as well as increase their entrepreneurial ability. The loan amount will be scheme will channalised through rural bank

32 32