DH Impact | Archaeology dept seeks protection for Koppal Neolithic sites

The Karnataka Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage (DAMH) will shortly send a proposal to the state government requesting it to protect Neolithic sites in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district.

DAMH director R Gopal, on reading the DH report, ‘Modern greed scars Neolithic treasure’, published on February 15, said two of his officials visited Karadivatlu in Gangavathi taluk.

The DH report mentioned in detail the unabated stone quarrying in Koppal district’s Rampura, Sangapur and Karadivatlu, which has put the very existence of more than 4,000-year-old cave and shelter paintings in danger.

Gopal said: “Soon, our officials will file a detailed report about those Neolithic era paintings and based on the report, I will forward a proposal to the state government seeking protection for these sites.”

The director noted that report will also include details while pointing out if the monuments are in the core or buffer villages of Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA). “If they come under the core area, we will ask HWHAMA to ensure proper protection to those monuments,” he added.