Rajasthan plans 11 heritage zones to conserve historical relics

Jaipur, Aug 1 (UNI) Rajasthan will soon set up 11 heritage zones to conserve and develop its historical monuments and their surroundings.

The idea is to identify the various monuments of the bygone era and items of historical significance spread over the entire state and categorise them zone-wise to attract more tourists, say art and culture department officials. One major reason is to preserve the state's invaluable heritage and develop them.

The centre has given five crore Rupees for the purpose. The work of identification of the relics have already begun.

The state government is planning to bring a law in this regard.

Public as well as private property will come under the purview of this law. And no new constructions can be made in these heritage zones without the permission of the relevant authorities.

If the owner of the heritage property is not able to maintain it, the state government will help them to promote it tourist-friendly.

The zone-wise division will be done for the first time in the state. Uptil now, the state has only 225 protected monuments but no zones. With the setting up of the zones, the entire surrounding area will be protected rather than just the monument.

The zones will be namely Karauli zone, Bayana, Sambhar, Fatehpur, Talwara, Galiakot, Dahlanpur, Osian, Bairath, Jhalawar and Jalore.

Temples, monuments, forts, wall paintings, stone statues, Bawaris, Buddhist era monuments, edicts are spread over these zones which are important historical relics of Rajasthan and needs to be preserved.

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