The monuments in Warangal such as the Thousand Pillar temple, Ramappa temple and Fort deserve international recognition and the local chapter of INTACH would achieve it in next two years, said its convenor M. Panduranga Rao.
He exuded confidence that the recently announced Central government programme HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) would come in handy for the purpose. The Intach has espousing the cause for a long time. “There are monuments which are of more recent origin compared to Kakatiya monuments in the district which got World Heritage site status from UNESCO. Our local sites too deserve it,” Prof. Rao argues.
According to him, the Intach in association with the State and Central governments was working in that direction. To be listed in the world heritage sites, the monument should be well preserved and maintained. There should not be settlements within 100 metres and 300 metres, what they call prohibited zone and restricted zone.
Facelift
At present, the kalyana mandapam of the historic Thousand Pillar temple is under restoration. It was dismantled a decade ago and is being put together by experts. Similarly, the other monuments should get a facelift before approaching the International Committee on Monuments and Structures which certifies for the World Heritage site list. Prof. Rao said the State and Central governments should come up with good relief and rehabilitation package to remove settlements around the structures.
Later minimum facilities for tourists should be created to draw more people. He opined that the Hriday project would help ensure restoration of dilapidated monuments and create infrastructure which would also contribute towards securing World Heritage site status to some of the Kakatiya monuments in Warangal.
“We have already represented it to UNESCO and in next two years, we will prepare the monuments for international inspection,” Prof. Rao explained.
