Maharashtra’s rock art sites (petroglyphs) could soon find a place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Cultural Affairs and Information Technology Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for this initiative by collecting detailed information about petroglyphs across the state.
A high-level meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Minister Shelar at P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Prabhadevi. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and Cultural Affairs Department, Vikas Kharge, Director of Archaeology and Museums Dr. Tejas Garge, representatives from the Nisarg Yatri organization in Ratnagiri, and officials from the Cultural Affairs Department.
Minister Shelar stated that following a visit by a Spanish delegation to these petroglyph sites, a proposal was considered for inclusion in the UNESCO list. He emphasized the need for better publicity of these ancient artworks, along with nationwide awareness and engagement.
He suggested that the department create an international-standard documentary film on the petroglyphs and collect a large volume of photographs and videos. The minister also highlighted the importance of using advanced technology to enhance these visual materials and promote them effectively.
A proposal will be sent to the Central Government for the inclusion of Maharashtra’s petroglyphs in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Minister Shelar also advised the use of social media platforms to widely publicize high-quality images of the petroglyphs. Furthermore, he recommended a transparent selection of international-level agencies for producing the documentary.
Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge stressed the need for a time-bound survey to identify and map all petroglyph locations across the state. He also called for the development of conservation plans for protected sites and urged that responsibilities be clearly assigned to all stakeholders to ensure effective preservation. Lastly, he directed that extensive data collection on these petroglyphs should be undertaken.
