Pandavula Gutta to be developed as tourist destination

Pandavula Gutta has been recognised as the sole geo-heritage site by the central government.

Bhupalpally: Bhupalpally Collector Rahul Sharma said Pandavula Gutta, an ancient hill range known for rock paintings by early man, would be developed as a prominent tourist destination.

The collector, who visited Pandavula Gutta along with Superintendent of Police(SP) Kiran Khare on Sunday, said steps would be taken to create infrastructure, roads, parking, resorts and other facilities for the convenience of tourists. The development of Pandavula Gutta and surrounding areas as tourist destination would create employment opportunities for the youth of the area, he said.

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Effort would be made to develop special packages to attract tourists from not only State but across the country to Pandavula Gutta, he said, adding that plans would be made to include guide services, trekking and cultural activities in the special package. Already trekking and rock climbing are going on at the Pandavula Gutta, he added.

Earlier, then Collector Amrapali Kata tried to promote Pandavula Gutta as tourist destination by participating in the rock climbing event. Due to her efforts, some activities, including night camping, trekking and bird watching events were organised in Devunoor forest area. But after she was transferred her successors did not take much interest in continuing the efforts.

The Pandavula Gutta was discovered by K Ramakrishna Rao, an official of the Department of Archaeology and Museums in Hyderabad in 1990. Pandavula Gutta has been recognised as the sole geo-heritage site by the central government.

Using the carbon dating techniques and studying the depictions of the rock paintings found in the caves of these hillocks at 13 different places, archaeologists observed that these caves date back to Mesolithic era (middle stone age) and are of about 4,000-2,500 million years old.

The caves are adorned with figures of humans, animals and other symbols on walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters and isolated boulders. The caves also has rock art paintings depict wildlife like bison, antelope, tiger and leopard, besides other forms like the swastika symbol, circles and squares, and weapons such as bows, arrows, swords and lances.