Maharashtra's Minister of State for Tourism Aditi Tatkare, on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, held a meeting with the officials of the tourism department. In a recent decision, she has asked the authorities to draft a development plan to boost the tourism at Mumbai's Elephanta Caves and submitted at the earliest. The aim of the project will enhance the location as a tourist spot and offer more opportunities.
Addressing the same, Aditi Tatkare said that this revised development plan of Elephanta Caves as a tourist spot would help in accelerating the development work. Besides this, the emphasis of the project has also laid on environmentally friendly development works, which will happen by taking the local people into confidence.
Present at the meeting were Managing Director of Tourism Development Corporation Ashutosh Salil, Chief Executive Officer of Maharashtra Maritime Board Dr Amit Saini and concerned officers.
Meanwhile, Keeping the historical importance of the tourism sector in mind, officials also decided to preserve and nurture the Ajanta and Ellora caves and a presentation was made in this regard.
Maharashtra's popular Elephanta or Gharapuri Caves are located at a distance of 10 km from the east coast of Mumbai, on a small island in the sea. These caves are famous for their magnificent sculptures and as per historical records, they carved on the rock of the mountains which date from the 9th century to the 13th century. These caves were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
Besides this, a huge elephant sculpture was present near the entrance of Gharapuri caves, and hence they got the name of Elephanta Caves. The sculpture is currently present at the Queen's Garden in Mumbai.