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The Maharashtra Government has set aside Rs 1,000 crore to rectify the damage that has been caused to the 1,500-year-old Ajanta caves as it gears up to promote the State on the country's tourist map.
“The caves have been kept topmost in the priority list. Colour fading and seepage of water through the walls are the major issues which we are looking into,” the Chief Minister, Mr Prithvi Raj Chavan, told reporters visiting the State as part of a tour organised by the tourism department of Maharashtra.
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has collaborated with the Japanese Government in this regard.
This second century BC Buddhist architecture comprising 30 caves were rediscovered by a British Army Officer, Mr John Smith, in 1819. Out of the 30 caves, 12 have been closed down by the ASI due to water leakage.
Separate water channels have been created to divert the route of water and, hence, prevent it from damaging the paintings.
“The leakage of water was a major issue some time ago but the problem has been resolved now,” said the MTDC Senior Regional Manager, Mr Chandrashekhar Jaiswal.
Fibre optic lights
The installation of fibre optic lights has helped in preserving the Buddhist paintings depicting the entire life of Lord Buddha. Perfect for light-sensitive exhibits, use of fibre optic lighting is harmless unlike traditional ultra violet light. This is mainly because fibre optic lighting does not lead to changes in temperatures and thus does not lead to discoloration and fading.
“Earlier normal lighting methods which were installed inside the caves resulted in the discolouration and melting of the texture of the paintings,” saids Mr Abrar Hussain, a Government-approved tourist guide at the Ajanta caves.
Private vehicles have been banned within the periphery of about five kilometres. The Maharashtra Tourism and Development Centre (MTDC) has started eco-friendly CNG buses to carry tourists. The fare, too, has been kept nominal, ranging from Rs 7 to Rs 15 for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses, respectively.
“MTDC in collaboration with the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation is currently building a replica of the entire monument for further research on the caves and its history,” Mr Jaiswal added.
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