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TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN HERITAGE SITES; CASE STUDY OF

EDAKKAL CAVES IN WAYANAD

Conference Paper · May 2016

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1
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN HERITAGE SITES;
CASE STUDY OF EDAKKAL CAVES IN WAYANAD

Shyju P J, Ph.D
Asst. Professor (Tourism Management)
Department of History of Art, Faculty of Arts,
Banaras Hindu University

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 Source: Google images

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 “Sri-Vishnuvarmma(nah) kutumbiya-kula-var(d)dhansya li(kh)ita(m); - the writing of the
glorious Vishnuvarman, the propagator (i.e. descendant) of the kutumbiya family -

(Picture source: Google Images)

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 (Picture source: Google Images)

The Lion of Kerala

4 Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja

1 2
Sage Parasuram Found trace of Mesolithic life in
(reclaimed land from sea later known several places in Kerala
as Kerala)

3 4
Battles (1790-1805) against East India Company Resistance against English East
had mentioned by a few Historians India Company caused life,
but it later became golden
part of Kerala History
NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016
 Arial View
5 (Google Earth Map)

Distant View
reflects the figure
(Picture source: Google Images
of a woman in
lying position)

28/5/2016
NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J)
6

Way to inside the cave

(source: Google Images)

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 (Picture source: Google Images)

Petroglyphs in the walls

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 Heritage
8 Heritage is linked to the past, that it represents some sort of inheritance to be passed
down to the current and future generations both in terms of cultural traditions and
physical artefacts. (Hardy, 1998).

Heritage is a subjective & political negotiation of identity, place and memory

(E Waterton and L Smith).

Heritage can be classified as tangible and intangible. It may be also classified

according to attractions.

• Heritage sites
• Historic site, buildings and monuments
• Sites of important past events
• Traditional landscape and indigenous wildlife
• Language, literature
• Traditional events like folklore, sports
• Traditional lifestyle like food, drink
NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016
 According to Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General,
9
“rock art is a cultural gift from our ancestors”.

Aesthetic expression of early man, possess immense heritage value. Rock Art
refers to paintings, drawings, engravings, stencils, carvings and figures in rock
shelters, caves or stone boulders and platforms (Agnew et.al, 2015).

According to experts (Aubert et al. 2014; Pike et al. 2013) sites which are 28000-
40000 years old can be found across the world, India is the third country in the world
which has immense collection of rock art heritage along with Australia and South
Africa.
In India, rock art sites are largely found in the Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh and Vindya
Ranges, Uttar Pradesh, Chota Nagpur Plateau, Kaimur Hills, and Southern India. Singh (2009)
described the sites of Mesolithic period, where many sites of South India is illustrated as the sites
of Mesolithic and Neolithic period.

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 Picture from Museum, Bhopal)

Rock Art sites in India

10

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J)

28/5/2016
 Objectives
11

 To understand the importance of heritage value of Edakkal Caves.

 Study the role of authorities (DMC, Kerala Tourism) in developing the site as
tourist attraction.

 Understand the coexistence of heritage at tourism through a heritage conscious

society.

 Explain the interactions of tourism, heritage and governance in protecting our

heritage resources.
NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016
 Methodology
12

Phenomenological research design is used for conducting the study. The study is

prepared on the grounds of describing the impact of tourism development in the study

area from past to present. The first part of the study addresses the common issues found

at Rock Art Heritage Sites (RAHS). The second part deals with the role of tourism and

heritage preservation of Edakkal Caves and visitor management. The last part discusses

the possibility of using Heritage Tourism Opportunity Spectrum as a tool for heritage

tourism sites.

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 Findings
13
Heritage Value

1. Natural Cave System

2. Prehistoric life

3. Growth of civilization

4. Archaeological evidences

Tourism Point of View

One of the most important attraction in the district and state

Site is an example of a sustainable model of development

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

14

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 Heritage Consciousness of local people
15
Organised effort to protect the caves and the petroglyphs

Consciousness among people on protection from various threats

Stopped illegal mining

Formation of DMC

Trained people to interpretation

Strict control on graffiti and other potential threats

Vigilance of local people on any kind of destruction or

damage

Awareness creation among visitors about heritage

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

16 Heritage Preservation-Major issues found in Rock Art Sites in Common

• Water seepage:
• Granite Quarries:
• Wedging:
• Growth of fungi on the surface:
• Dust accumulation on the engravings:
• Graffiti:
• Unrestricted entry of visitors:
.

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

17 DMC and its role

Approach road for improved visitor access

Restrict visitor entry

Close monitoring of the damage or destruction of the natural

environment

Creation of more job opportunities for local people

Enhanced visitor experience and satisfaction

Instilling the heritage consciousness among visitors.

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 Archaeological/historical resources
18
Not just mere dead objects/restricts to one discipline

Identifying the heritage value is major challenge

Increased pressure for resource allocation among

competing requirements lead to ignorance of
restoration/maintenance of archaeological resources.

Integrated Management System to take care of the

resources, digitlisation of the resources and scientific studies
required

Involvement of local people for management of the

resources.
28/5/2016
NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J)
 19

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J)

28/5/2016
 20

Petroglyphs at Towarimala
Burials found near Ambukuthi Mala

Kurichya Family
The legacy of courage,
Pictures: Google Image
loyalty and patriotism

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

 21
Thanks for listening, for detailed report please refer to the full research
paper titled on the same presentation

THANKS

NCCHM-2016, IIT- BHU, Varanasi (presentation by Dr. Shyju P J) 28/5/2016

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