By Anil Pathak, Gandhinagar, 21 February 2013

Even as the taskforce appointed by the state government for the development of Dholavira, the lone Harrapan site in Rann of Kutch is trying its best to complete the infrastructure works the chances of the site being declared as World heritage site have brightened. The 5,000 year old remnants of the Harappan civilization has already been declared as the protected monument by the state archeological department and several facilities have been created to enable the tourists and historians across the world to see this site which has been located in the desert island 240 km off Bhuj the headquarters of the Kutch district.

Though it is difficult to predict as to when Dholavira would be declared as the world heritage site the state director of archeology Dr Y S Rawat is hopeful that UNESCO would take a final decision as the central government has completed all required formalities required for the heritage site. Dr R S Bisht excavator of Dholavira project has been conferred padmashree award by the government of India for his work and excavation work was then assisted by Dr Rawat.

While talking to this correspondent Dr Rawat said that task force headed by state chief secretary has so far taken a series of measures and at present the work of constructing the road to Dholavira from Khawda was in full swing. Once this road is ready the distance to reach Dholavira would be half from existing 240 Km route from Bhuj.

“We have taken several measures to preserve and protect the site which has been situated in desert island and spread in 88 hectares.Dholavira in a unique site of the 5,000 year old harappamn civilization ad it is worth seeing the structures of sandstone and limestone.There are remains of the houses some of them having staircases and also unbelievable reservoirs at the mound which is amid muddy desert near Khadir. The government has plans to construct helipad at the site to provide air link to this world famous remains of harappan culture,” Shri Rawat said.

According to him Dholavira has been now placed from tentative to permanent category and the Archeological Survey of India(ASI) has been vigorously pursuing the issue with authorities of UNESCO.At present only one historical place from Gujarat- Chamapnetrr-Pavagahdh archeological park has been declared as the world heritage site some years back.While a historic seven storey stepwell – Ranki Vav – at Patan the historic capital of Gujarat in medieval period has also been recommended by the state government to be recognized as world heritage site.

Another important place which could find its place in the map of world heritage site is that of historical town of Vadnagar in North Gujarat`s Mehsana district. Vadnagar is also famous for stone carvings and remains of Buddha math. Chinese historian Huan Tsang has visited this place and had stayed in the math along with other Buddhist monks.The place has remain occupied by human population since last 2,500 years and that is the distinct characteristic of this place.

An NRG’s story on rediscovering New Gujarat:Kutch travel(part one)