UNESCO included Dholavira of Kutch in the list of World Heritage Sites in the year-2021 – Kutch Nahi Dekha, To Kuch Nahi Dekha; World Heritage Site in Kutch – Dholavira
Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 project Rs. Culture of Kutch in Dholavira at a cost of 135 crores, Various development works including light and sound show showcasing art and history will be carried out
Dated across India by Archaeological Survey of India. “World Heritage Week” is being celebrated from 19th to 25th November, 2024. This year World Heritage Week is being celebrated on the theme “Discover and Experience Diversity”. Some of the important heritage sites of Gujarat have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Recently, Dholavira in Kutch has received the status of World Heritage Site.
The site was discovered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1967, but has only been systematically excavated since the 1990s. Artifacts include terracotta, pottery, beads, gold and copper ornaments, seals, fishing hooks, animal figurines, implements, urns found during excavations here.
According to the information received by the Archeology Department, this town is believed to be approximately five thousand years old. Dholavira is an excellent example of Harappan civilization's best town planning, best water conservation and water management system. An Indus Civilization sign board was also found during excavations at Dholavira, which has not been deciphered till date.
Dholavira is also known as Kotda i.e. Big Fort by the local people of Kutch here. Dholavira is situated in the middle of the salt desert in Khadir Bet of Kutch district. Two rivers Mansar in the north and Manhar in the south used to flow here. This ancient town is surrounded by vast white sheets of salt desert and is also known for its wildlife. Where animals and birds like chinkara, nilgai, flamingo are found.
Experts believe that Dholavira will be famous for the formation of a town at that time. The main fort which most
are located in the highlands and two other towns are found in the lower areas. Apart from this stone construction is also found in Dholavira. A beautiful planning of sanitation is seen in Dholavira, as an underground sewage system was also found here.
Large walls surrounding the town for protection were also found here. Water management is seen in such a way that the water of the rivers passing by the side of the Dholavira comes inwards. Cities of other civilizations are built with raw bricks. Whereas in Dholavira, the construction is made of almost square and rectangular stones and the stones are quarried from side to side. Dholavira has a protective wall surrounding the town.
Dholavira town is divided into three main parts (1) Rajmahal of the king/ruling officer which is situated on an elevated site. It was strongly fortified all around. The fort had four gates (2) other officers' quarters which were also surrounded by a defensive wall and two to five roomed houses. (3) The dwellings of common townspeople were made of hand-made bricks. A large pearl factory has been found in this town. Copper smelting furnaces have been found among the remains recovered here.
In Swadesh Darshan 2.0, various infrastructure facilities will be constructed by covering Dholavira. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Dholavira has been selected for comprehensive development by the Government of India under Swadesh Darshan 2.0. A total of 50 such places in India have been selected by the Government of India under Swadesh Darshan 2.0. In which two places of Gujarat Dholavira and Dwarka have been selected.
The work will be done in two parts with the aim of developing Dholavira as a sustainable and responsive tourist destination. In the first phase, works including culture village, amphitheatre, tent city, tourist plaza and road development will be undertaken. Around Rs. According to the master plan of the first phase, which will take shape at a cost of 135 crores, the light and sound show will cover the entire culture, art and history of Kutch and a community hall will be built.
Along with the development of Dholavira tourist spot, the master plan will also integrate the nearby religious places, natural places, etc., so that the tourists can visit maximum places of interest here.
Heritage Tourism Policy
The state government announced the “Heritage Tourism Policy-R0R0-RP” so that tourists from home and abroad can directly experience the ancient heritage and historical heritage of Gujarat. Under this policy, the state government has taken a unique approach to open the heritage sites including the dormant ancient heritage buildings, royal palaces, zarukhas, minarets and forts in the small villages and towns of Gujarat with convenient facilities for tourism lovers and to provide incentives to such heritage sites.
Under the Heritage Tourism Policy dt. Building heritage hotels, museums, banquet halls or restaurants prior to January 1-1950 cannot tamper with the original structure of historical heritage. Also, for renovation-repair of Heritage Hotel, Heritage Museum, Heritage Banquet Hall and Heritage Restaurant Unit, Rs. 30 lakh to Rs. The state government provides assistance up to 10 crores. Apart from this, additional incentives like 100% electricity duty waiver for five years and rent assistance for national-international events etc.
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