Archaeology
Found an hour’s drive from Kurnool is a little town called K.K. Kottala which houses the Billasurgam caves, where geologists have actually found cave art more than 5,000 years old.
In spite of their sensational charm, the Billasurgam caves in Betamcherla mandal of Kurnool district have actually stayed an untapped tourist destination– something that the district tourism authorities are now planning to address in a bid to protect history.
The caves were very first found by famous British geologist Robert Bruce Foote in1884 Foote was the exact same geologist who discovered paleolithic stone tools at Pallavaram in Chennai.
Archaeology Ancient artefacts
Throughout decades of archaeological excavations at the site given that its discovery, many stone tools, animal remains, and pieces of pottery were discovered at the caverns, showing the presence of ancient human activity at the caves.
However, the caves are now long past due for a facelift. Surrounded by quarries and mines, the Billasurgam caverns have actually been left mostly unblemished ever considering that independence, with the exception of the odd visits of scholars and residents.
District tourist authorities are now planning to propose to the State Government to restore the caves and turn them into a traveler attraction. Officials have conducted initial studies and are anticipated to produce a first-visit report to the federal government.
Talking To The Hindu, District Tourism Officer, B. Venkateswarlu stated that maintaining the Billsurgam caverns is high on their agenda. “We will likewise ask the archaeology department to look into the matter, and list the caverns as a secured monolith,” he stated.
Archaeology Absence of access
Presently, the authorities are planning to clean the caves and make it more available for visitors.
While it is a popular attraction among the regional youth, the caves need advancement, cleansing and pathways for it to become a main attraction in the district.
There are 2 roadways causing the caverns– one from Betamcharla mandal head office and the other from Palkuru. Both the roads are kutcha roads which can not accommodate auto-rickshaws and four-wheelers.
Mr. Venkateswarlu said that the development of the caves might cost at least 5 crore. “Nevertheless, we need only 5 lakh today to begin the process of cleaning up the caverns. Furthermore, this cash, if sanctioned, might likewise be used to remodel the kutcha roadway,” he stated.
Archaeology Development strategies
Speaking about the development strategies, the DTO stated that roadways require to be laid by the Panchayati Raj department, while opportunity plantations need to be taken up by the district water management agency. “Apart from that, the Income Department must likewise demarcate the land readily available, and raise fences,” Mr. Venkateswarlu said.
” As it is the constituency of Financing Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, we likewise prepare on sending the proposal to him directly. With a push from Mr. Reddy, the caverns could end up being a major traveler destination,” Mr. Venkateswarlu said.
