A comprehensive protection and conservation plan for the famous rock-cut Masroor temple in Kangra district,also referred to as Ajanta of Himachal Pradesh,is set to be rolled out soon. The temple,situated in wildlife sanctuary area close to Pong Dam reservoir,is said to have been carved out in the mediaeval period,but has not been in focus for conservation till now. Being located in a sanctuary area,the temple is away from ecological threats,but now the focus is on developing a tourism and conservation mechanism that protects it from increase in tourist inflow. Asian Development Bank has shown interest in protecting and developing such places of interest in Himachal into international tourism attractions. To get funding for the temples conservation,the state government has started a process to list the priority areas of protecting this monument of national importance. Masroor temple is under the supervision of Archeological Survey of India. A seminar-cum-meeting of experts,chaired by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is scheduled on January 18 at Kangra to chalk out the conservation plan for Masroor temple. Finding out prospects of bringing it into tourism circuit,without disturbing the natural habitat around it,is the agenda on the basis of which the state would seek Asian Development Bank funding, said Director Language Art and Culture,Dr Prem Sharma. On the other hand,the Shimla Circle of ASI has also prepared a proposal for the same. Superintending Archeologist Shimla circle of ASI,TR Sharma,said,The rules and regulations of prohibiting any construction in 100 metres periphery of the monument have already been enforced. Though there are no evident environmental threats to the temple as it is located in a protected area,a primary government school runs in the premises of the temple and we have taken up the matter of its relocation with the state government. The ASI has formulated a protection plan of Rs 3 crore.
