The ancient Buddhist site of Thotlakonda in Visakhapatnam dates back to 2nd Century BC. A group of heritage enthusiasts recently gathered, to celebrate World Heritage Day at Thotlakonda.
- Besides, a historical heritage, the place is also a living laboratory for biologists, archaeologists, geologists and other scientists.
- The site is home to birds and raptors like the white-bellied sea eagle, Indian rock eagle, Indian spotted eagle, black-shouldered kite, and common kestrel.
- According to the Hindu, the area housed remnants of a flourishing monastery, practising Hinayana Buddhism, which was most active for 400 years from 200 BCE to 200 CE.
- A recent government order notified only 120 acres of the site as “protected area”. Earlier, the Buddhist site under the State Department of Archeology housed 3,143 acres. Historians fear that the government order may lead to commercial exploitation of the heritage site.
- INTACH Convenor (Visakhapatnam chapter), Mayank Deo, has filed an objection requesting for considering at least 600 acres as protected area.
(Source: The Hindu)
