konkanrockart

रविवार, १३ नोव्हेंबर, २०१६

दै. सामना, उत्सव पुरवणी, दि. १३ नोव्हेंबर २०१६.
Article published in Daily Saamana''s Sunday supplement 'Utsav' on 13th November 2016.

मंगळवार, १४ जुलै, २०१५

A DETAILED NOTE ON

‘KUDOPI ROCK ART GALLERY’

PETROGLYPHS ON LATERITE SURFACE IN

COASTAL DISTRICT SINDHUDURG

IN MAHARASHTRA

SATISH LALIT

pashankala.blogspot.in

satishlalit@gmail.com

09422413800

==================================

Abstract: The southernmost and coastal Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra is a narrow, hilly strip of land between the Sahyadris (Western Ghats) and the Arabian Sea. Famous for its natural beauty, this district is now on the map of Ancient Rock Art also. Recently, Petroglyphs on Laterite surface in large numbers are found at Hiwale and Kudopi villages in Malwan Tehsil. This treasure was for the first time brought to light by the author. The Petroglyphs include human figurines, fish, animals, spiral circle, ring and above all a 15 feet image of Mother Goddess.

=======================================================

Here is good news for rock art enthusiasts in India. The southernmost coastal district of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra is now on the map of rock art. A petroglyphs site is found in this district in Kudopi village in Malvan tehsil. The site consists of nearly 30 petroglyphs carved on laterite surface which includes human figurines, fish, animals, spiral circle, ring and above all a 15 feet image resembles to Mother Goddess.

Location:Sindhudurg district is situated between Latitudes 15.37 and 16.40 North, and longitudes 73.19 and 74.18 East. It is boarded by the Arabian Sea on the West and Sahyadri hill ranges to the East with a total area of 5,207sq.km.Sindhudurg is in the Konkan area of Maharashtra having picturesque stretch of land on the west cost of India, endowed with the beautiful seashore, picturesque Mountains and scenic natural beauty and known for tropical fruit like the world famous Alphonso mangoes, cashews etc.

The Rock Art site is at Kudopi village which lies between west coast and SahyadriMountains. The coast of Arabian Sea is approx. 12 KMs. The location is at 16°15”50.00 N and 73°30”44.00 E at an altitude of 280 ft. from MSL (Mean Sea Level). It can be approached by Mumbai-Goa National Highway (NH 17), Konkan Railway and the nearest airport is Bambolim, Goa. Nearest city is Kanakawali (30 KMs) on NH 17. After reaching Kanakawali you have to turn westwards on Achara road, then take right turn atChindarvillage, from here Kudopi is 6 KMs. Kanakawali is an important station on Konkan Railway.

Climate: The climate of this place is mainly humid. Min. temp. is 16.3 Celsius and max. temp. is 33.8 Celsius. Sindhudurg witnesses rain for full four months June, July, August and Septemberand averagerainfall is 3,287mm.Most of the district area covered by dense rain forest, Amboli hill station area is most suitable habitat for wild animals like leopard, wild cats, rabbits, wild hen and sometimes wild buffalo also appears in winter season. Wild buffalos come down from Radhanagri forest (Kolhapur District) for search of food and water. Recently Elephants are also making entry into Sindhudurg District from Karnataka state through Khanapur jungle. This is the first time, elephants finding habitation in Maharashtra state.

Rock Art on West Coast of India:

Along with West Coast of India there are many known and unknown Rock Art Sites. The only famous site is in South Goa at Usgalimal, also called Panasaimol,near Sanguem.This site of a prehistoric riverside nomadic fishing camp of the people of “Kushavati culture” at Panasaimol, Sanguem was discovered and reported in 1993. Kushavati is the name of the river, which flows near the site. More than 125 forms were found scattered in the area.

The Second site is Virdi, on Maharashtra-Goa border. At Virdi we can see some animals carved on a wall like huge basalt stone. Here we can see a pig, a giraffe like animal locally called Zebu, and a couple of humped bulls. Unfortunately this huge stone is destroyed five years ago while constructing a dam. Luckily, I have photographed it earlier. The third site is at Hiwale in Sindhudurg. Here we can see human figures, birds, fish and circles. The count is around ten. Another site is at Niwali in Ratnagiri district. Here we can see a complicated map. There are also some sites like Khudi (Malvan), Malapwadi, Mervi (Nivali), Upale,Khanawali (Rajapur), Palshet (Guhagar) on the west coast. We can see a lineage between all these sites.

Kudopi’s “Hill of the Dolls”:

The Kudopisite in Sindhudurg district, which I had brought into light for the first time,where we can see more than 30 petroglyphs on a huge laterite plateau.Kudopi is a small village in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg district. The site is situated on top of a hill locally known as “Bawlyanche temb”(in Marathi) means ‘the hill of dolls’. A river flows below the hill and there is small settlement of locals. The site is secluded and the petroglyphs are carved on laterite surface. The coast is about 25 km away to the west. These petroglyphs can be dated back to the pre-historic Neolithic period. The site contains more than 30 petroglyphs spread over the area of approx. half acre and some of them being as large as 20X15 feet in dimensions. The drawings consist of human figurines, circles and other symbolic abstract designs.

Human Figurines: On Kudopi plateau there are two human figurines. The first one is 3X4 feet in size and has a frame around it. The other human figure is of the size of 5X3 feet.

Circles: There are five types of circles found here. One is spiral and has a diameter of 40 inches. Other one is 30 inches diameter and it is abraded, except at center. Third circle is like a ring and has diameter of 40 inches. The fourth circle found here is made by digging 4 inches deep. The diameter is 8 inches. The last one is oblong and inside it has two round mounds.

Fish: There is a pair of fish artistically carved; even the artist has shown the water body also. The fish are swimming in a row, one behind the other. Their fins are beautifully carved. The length of the fish is 10 inches. Interestingly, they are moving towards the west, which is incidentally seaside. There is one more image of fish, a big one, around 3 feet in length. The species shown here is different than the earlier pair.

Mother Goddess (?): This is the most amazing and interesting image of Mother Goddess (?). Here we can see, not so proportionate, image of Mother Goddess holding her baby in both hands

.Mother Godess (?)

The ‘V’ carved on her body indicates her femininity. The primitive communities were predominantly female dominated and the tribes were mostly headed by women. In that era women were accorded a high status, were revered and worshipped by human tribes. The concept of Mother Goddess is common worldwide.

Geometrical Images: At Kudopi there are some abstract and geometrical images, which are very difficult to decipher. One such huge geometrical image is of a freehand style.This image is artistically carved. It looks like this image is of some religious importance or may be used for practicing shamanism.

Geometrical carvings in freehand style

It looks like that these pre-historic people were practicing shamanism in whatever form and they made these abstract images as part of their rituals. It may be noted that Shamanism is still practiced in some part of Sindhudurg district and People here believe in ghosts and spirits.

Shamanism: Shamanism dates back to some 10,000 years and is the first spiritual practice known to the world. It was used as a problem-solving technique if it is understood and translated into modern times.The word "shaman" originates from the Tungusic language of Siberia. The word "shaman" refers to a person who makes journeys to non-ordinary reality in an altered state of consciousness. Although the term is from Siberia, the practice of shamanism existed on all inhabited continents.

Shamanism was, and is still practiced, by people around the globe. Shamanism existed before religions and as the well-known anthropologist, Dr. Michael Harner, mentioned, the main elements of this ancient technique have very similar structures around the globe. *(Ref: 2)

Recently, some more sites are explored by amateurs at Khudi, Girye in Sindhudurg and at Upale, Khanawali, Mervi, Malapwadi (Niwali) in Ratnagiri district.

Conclusion:To conclude, the lineage between known rock art sites along the west coast suggests that the pre-historic tribes who dwelled in this coastal area must have travelled across the coastal corridor. And while moving or migrating they have left behind their footprints in the form of rock art. To preserve it is everybody's duty.

000000000000

References:

*(Ref.: 1)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism

*(Ref: 2)

http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article01.html

शनिवार, १९ एप्रिल, २०१४

Deccan Herald, 20th April 2014. (Bangalore, New Delhi, Mangalore, Hubli, Mysore, Davangere editions)

मंगळवार, १० डिसेंबर, २०१३

सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्ह्यातील कुडोपी (ता. मालवण) इथल्या नवाश्मयुगीन पाषाणशिल्पांसंबधीचा शोधनिबंध मी बदामी (कर्नाटक) इथल्या राष्ट्रीय परिषदेत सादर केला, त्याला बरोबर एक वर्ष झालं. काल 7 डिसेंबर 2013 रोजी प्रसिद्ध झालेल्या 'The Sunday Guardian' या लंडन आणि नवी दिल्ली येथुन प्रसिद्ध होणा-या प्रतिष्ठीत संडे न्युजपेपरमध्ये श्री. किरण तारे यांनी घेतलेली माझी मुलाखत प्रसिद्ध झाली आहे. जिज्ञासुंनी सोबतची लिंक अवश्य पहावी.
http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/lone-official-fights-to-save-ancient-rock-paintings

Lone official fights to save ancient rock paintings

Satish Lalit, in his personal capacity has managed to save the rock art spot from being sold. His next aim is to block roads leading to the spot to avoid crowd and defacing.

KIRAN TARE Mumbai | 7th Dec 2013

Rock art found in Bavlyancho Dongor (hill of dolls).

atish Lalit, a Maharashtra government official, is fighting a lone battle to save a 7,000-year-old stone art which depicts human and animal lives in figures carved on rock. Lalit had found 85 such rock figures in Konkan last year. He convinced the land owner where the rock art is found not to sell the land. He has also requested the local administration to block the entry points so that no vehicles could move around it. The administration has not acted upon his request yet.

The 52-year-old avid trekker made the startling discovery while on a trek in his home district Sindhudurg in May last year. When he reached a village Kudopi the locals informed him that there were some ancient paintings drawn by the Pandavas in a nearby area named Bavlyancho Dongor (hill of dolls). "I searched for the spot for three days but could not locate it. Finally, I found the marvellous rock art in an open land. There were grass and bushes everywhere. It was a clear indication that no one was maintaining it," Lalit said. He works as Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's chief Public Relations Officer.

He said that there were more than 60 big and small images of the Mother Goddess, birds and animals in a single location of around 20,000 square feet. It is considered as one of the biggest such concentrations anywhere in the country. "Though similar carvings have been found in other parts of India, this is the first find on a red soil laterite plateau. These are petro-glyphs unlike the picto-graphs found in places like Amravati," he said. The most striking carving is that of a 15-foot tall Mother Goddess with all the internationally known symbols indicating her status. During that era, women were presumably accorded a very high social status.

Lalit is a member of Rock Art Society of India (RASI, which works for the promotion of scientific study, conservation, management and popularisation of Indian rock art. He talked to some experts associated with RASI to ascertain whether the figures he had found were really examples of rock art. He got the confirmation in November last year. He presented a paper in the same month at RASI's annual congress in Karnataka to get it established.

Lalit is now faced with the uphill task of trying to maintain the rock art in the absence of funds and manpower. Most of the land owners in Kudopi have cultivated mangoes in their lands. Lalit first convinced the rock art landowner not to sell his land or cultivate mangoes there. He feared that any type of digging would destroy the art. "The owner Mahesh Pawaskar is not a rich farmer. But when I explained to him the historical importance of his piece of land, he agreed to leave it as it is," Lalit said.

That was the first victory. The real challenge lay ahead. Onlookers started visiting the place a few days after Lalit announced his finding. He believes that keeping the crowd out till the place is secured against the human tendency to scribble on afcient monuments is the only way to save the art. He has written a letter to the district's Guardian Minister Narayan Rane requesting him to take measures to save the art. Rane on his part passed the buck to the local administration. However, Lalit has not given up hope. He is following up the request with undiminished enthusiasm.

शनिवार, ३० नोव्हेंबर, २०१३

RESEARCH PAPER ON

‘KUDOPI ROCK ART GALLERY’

AN EVIDENCE OF PREHISTORIC SHAMANISTIC PRACTICE?

PETROGLYPHS ON LATERITE SURFACE IN

COASTAL DISTRICT SINDHUDURG

IN MAHARASHTRA

SATISH LALIT, MUMBAI

An Amateur Rock Art Lover,

Life Member,

ROCK ART SOCIETY OF INDIA (RASI)

(Except Referred Sources and articles)
By Satish Lalit

Cell : 09422413800.

satishlalit@gmail.com

(Please note, this paper is prepared by an amateur rock art lover and not by a professional archaeologist. The aim of this paper is to present Kudopi site to rock art lovers and archaeologists and make awareness among people about our heritage.)

(This paper was presented at the 17th Congress of RASI at Badami, Karnataka on 16, 17 & 18th Nov. 2012 with help of a PowerPoint presentation.)

====================================================================

KUDOPI ROCK ART GALLERY

PETROGLYPHS ON LATERITE SURFACE

IN COASTAL DISTRICT SINDHUDURG

IN MAHARASHTRA

Satish Lalit

Abstract:

A petroglyph site on laterite has been discovered in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra by the author in 2012. Sindhudurg, the southernmost and coastal district in Maharashtra, is a narrow, hilly strip of land between the Sahyadris (Western Ghats) and the Arabian Sea. Nearly 50 petroglyphs, deeply carved on Laterite surface are found at Hiwale and Kudopi villages in Malwan Tehsil. The figures include human, fish, animals, spiral circle, ring and above all a 15 feet image of Mother Goddess. It is the first discovery of its kind on laterite surface in Maharashtra. These Petroglyphs may be dated back to Neolithic age. Some the images found here may be an evidence of pre-historic shamanism. Interestingly, in the present era also shamanism is practiced at some places in this district.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Here is good news for rock art enthusiasts in India. The southernmost coastal district of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra is now on the map of rock art. A petroglyphs site is found in this district in Kudopi village in Malvan tehsil. The site consists of nearly 50 petroglyphs carved on laterite surface which includes human figurines, fish, animals, spiral circle, ring and above all a 15 feet image of Mother Goddess.

Location: Sindhudurg district is situated between Latitudes 15.37 and 16.40 North, and longitudes 73.19 and 74.18 East. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea on the West and Sahyadri hill ranges to the East with a total area of 5,207 Sq.KMs. Sindhudurg is in the Konkan area of Maharashtra having picturesque stretch of land on the west cost of India, endowed with the beautiful seashore, picturesque Mountains and scenic natural beauty and known for tropical fruit like the world famous Alphonso mangoes, cashews etc.

The Site: The Rock Art site is at Kudopi village which lies between west coast and Sahyadri Mountains. The coast of Arabian Sea is approx. 12 KMs. The location is at 16°15”50.00 N and 73°30”44.00 E at an altitude of 280 ft. from MSL (Mean Sea Level). It can be approached by Mumbai-Goa National Highway (NH 17), Konkan Railway and the nearest airport is Bambolim, Goa. Nearest city is Kanakawali (30 KMs) on NH 17. After reaching Kanakawali you have to turn westwards on Achara road, then take right turn at Chindar village, from here Kudopi is 6 KMs. Kanakawali is an important station on Konkan Railway.

Climate: The climate of this place is mainly humid. Min. temp. is 16.3 Celsius and max. temp. is 33.8 Celsius. Sindhudurg witnesses rain for full four months June, July, August and September and average rainfall is 3,287mm. Most of the district area covered by dense rain forest, Amboli hill station area is most suitable habitat for wild animals like leopard, wild cats, rabbits, wild hen and sometimes wild buffalo also appears in winter season. Wild buffalos come down from Radhanagri forest (Kolhapur District) for search of food and water. Recently Elephants are also making entry into Sindhudurg District from Karnataka state through Khanapur jungle. This is the first time, elephants finding habitation in Maharashtra state.

Kudopi’s “Hill of the Dolls”:

The Kudopi site in Sindhudurg district, which I had brought into light for the first time, where we can see more than 50 petroglyphs on a huge laterite plateau. Kudopi is a small village in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg district. (Fig. 3 Map) The site is situated on top of a hill locally known as “Bawlyanche temb” (in Marathi) means ‘the hill of dolls’. A river flows below the hill and there is small settlement of locals. The site is secluded and the petroglyphs are carved on laterite surface. The coast is about 12 km away to the west. These petroglyphs can be dated back to the pre-historic Neolithic period. The site contains more than 50 forms of petroglyphs spread over the area of approx. half acre and some of them being as large as 20X15 feet in dimensions. The drawings consist of human figurines, circles and other symbolic abstract geometrical designs.

Human Figurines: On Kudopi plateau there are two human figurines. The first one is 3X4 feet in size and has a frame around it. The other human figure is of the size of 5X3 feet.

Fish: There is a pair of fish artistically carved; even the artist has shown the water body also. The fish are swimming in a row, one behind the other. Their fins are beautifully shown. The length of the fish is 10 inches. Interestingly, they are moving towards the west, which is incidentally seaside. There is one more image of fish, a big one, around 3 feet in length. The species shown here is different than the earlier pair. There is an interesting figure of an animal from cat family (may be a tiger) with its long tail. Also we can see a giant bird in takeoff position with spread wings.

Bird’s foot marks: Here we can see a pair of foot marks of a bird, looks like a duck with three fingers, which are joined to each other. This figure is made pecking out the stone. The size is approx. 3X3 feet.

Mother Goddess: This is the most amazing and interesting image of Mother Goddess. Here we can see, not so proportionate, image of Mother Goddess holding her baby in both hands. The ‘V’ carved on her body indicates her femininity. The primitive communities were predominantly female dominated and the tribes were mostly headed by women. In that era women were accorded a high status, were revered and worshipped by human tribes. The concept of Mother Goddess is common worldwide.

Geometrical Images: At Kudopi there are some abstract and geometrical images, which are very difficult to decipher. One such huge geometrical image is of a freehand style. This image is artistically carved. It looks like this image is of some religious importance or may be used for practicing shamanism.

Shamanism: Shamanism dates back to some 10,000 years and is the first spiritual practice known to the world. It was used as a problem-solving technique if it is understood and translated into modern times. The word "shaman" originates from the Tungusic language of Siberia. The word "shaman" refers to a person who makes journeys to non-ordinary reality in an altered state of consciousness. Although the term is from Siberia, the practice of shamanism existed on all inhabited continents.

Is shamanism a religion? The practice of shamanism is a method, not a religion. It coexists with established religions in many cultures. It's true that shamans are often in animistic cultures. Animism means that people believe there are spirits. So in shamanic cultures, where shamans interact with spirits to get results such as healing, it's no surprise that people believe there are spirits. But the shamans don't believe in spirits. Shamans talk with them, interact with them. They no more "believe" there are spirits than they "believe" they have a house to live in, or have a family. This is a very important issue because shamanism is not a system of faith. (Ref: wikipedia)

Rock art sites on the western coast

The western coast of India has a vast stretch of laterite deposit. It has the credit of having petroglyphs engraved on its surface, so far a unique feature in the world. The famous petroglyph site is in South Goa at Usgalimal, also called Panasaimol, near Sanguem on Kushavati river.

The Second one is Virdi, on Maharashtra-Goa border. Here a pig, a giraffe like animal locally called Zebu, and a couple of humped bulls were found carved on a wall like huge basalt boulder. Unfortunately this huge boulder is destroyed two years ago while constructing a dam. Luckily, I have photographed it earlier. The third one is at Hiwale in Sindhudurg. Here we can see nearly ten figures.

There are some more such petroglyph sites on laterite surface on the western coast such as Niwali, Khanawali (Rajapur) and Palshet (Guhagar) in Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. A complicated map (?) like figure has been found at Niwali. There must be some form of lineage between all these sites.

Conclusion: The rock art site in Sindhudurg district is the first discovery of its kind on laterite surface in southern coastal Maharashtra. In terms of forms, technique and antiquity of the figures the Sindhudurg rock art site is in continuity of the already known rock art sites on laterite in the coastal Goa. It suggests that the pre-historic tribes dwelling in this coastal area must have travelled across the coastal corridor. And while moving or migrating they have left behind their footprints in the form of rock art. To preserve it is everybody's duty.

कुडोपी येथील कातळशिल्पांमुळे

सिंधुदुर्ग ‘रॉक आर्ट नकाशा’वर

सतीश लळीत यांनी सादर केला बदामी परिषदेत शोधप्रबंध

सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्ह्याच्या मालवण तालुक्यातील कुडोपी येथे सापडलेलीकातळशिल्पे (रॉक आर्ट, पेट्रोग्लिफ्स) ही अंदाजे पाच ते सात हजार वर्षापूर्वी नवाश्मयुगातील आदिमानवाने केलेली अभिव्यक्ती आहे.याठिकाणी असलेल्या 60 हून अधिक कातळशिल्पांमध्ये असलेले मातृदेवतेचे कातळशिल्प विशेष उल्लेखनीय आहे. संपूर्ण देशात एवढ्या मोठ्या प्रमाणात प्रथमच जगासमोर आलेला हा अनमोल खजिना जतन करुन त्याची नीट प्रसिद्धी केल्यास सिंधुदुर्ग रॉक आर्टच्या जागतिक नकाशावर मानाचे स्थान पटकावेल, असा विश्वास हौशी रॉक आर्ट संशोधक व रॉक आर्ट सोसायटी ऑफ इंडियाचे सदस्य सतीश लळीत यांनी कर्नाटकातील बदामी येथे व्यक्त केला.

कर्नाटकातील बदामी येथील शिवयोगमंदिर सस्थेच्या सभागृहात भरलेल्या रॉक आर्ट सोसायटी ऑफ इंडियाच्या 17व्या राष्ट्रीय काँग्रेसमध्ये श्री. लळीत यांनी आपल्या शोधाचे सादरीकरण केले, त्यावेळी ते बोलत होते. त्यावेळी देशभरातून जमलेल्या रॉक आर्ट क्षेत्रातील तज्ञ, तसेच हौशी संशोधकांनी या शोधाबद्दल व सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्हा प्रथमच रॉक आर्ट नकाशावर येत असल्याबद्दल आनंद व्यक्त केला. यावेळी रॉक आर्ट सोसायटी ऑफ इंडियाचे अध्यक्ष प्रा. गिरीराज कुमार (आग्रा), सहसचिव अर्कित प्रधान, स्थानिक संयोजक डॉ.शीलकांत पत्तर, रॉक आर्ट क्षेत्रातील अनेक मान्यवर उपस्थित होते.

श्री. लळीत यांनी या राष्ट्रीय स्तरावरील काँग्रेसमध्ये केलेल्या सादरीकरणात मालवण तालुक्यातील हिवाळे आणि कुडोपी येथील कातळशिल्पांची सविस्तर माहिती छायाचित्रांसह दिली. ही कातळशिल्पे इ.स. पूर्व 4000 ते 7000 वर्षांपुर्वीची असुन अत्यंत महत्वाची असल्याचे मत तज्ञांनी व्यक्त केले. जगाच्या विविध भागात आदिमानवाने खोदलेली अशी कातळशिल्पे, दगडावर रेखाटलेली रंगचित्रे आढळुन येतात. ती रॉक आर्ट म्हणुन जगभरात ओळखली जातात. मध्यप्रदेशातील भीमबेटका येथील गुहेतील रंगचित्रे रॉक आर्टचाच एक प्रकार आहेत.

कुडोपी या मालवण तालुक्यातील गावाजवळच्या डोंगरावरील जांभ्या दगडाच्या कातळावर (सड्यावर) सुमारे साठ कातळशिल्पे खोदण्यात आली आहेत.यामध्ये मानवाकृती, मासे, विविध प्रकारची वर्तुळे, पक्षी, चित्रविचित्र आकृती मोठ्या प्रमाणात आहेत. एवढ्या मोठ्या संख्येने एकाच ठिकाणी अशी कातळशिल्पे आढळण्याची ही पहिलीच वेळ आहे. हिवाळे येथील सड्यावरही अशाच कातळशिल्पांचा शोध श्री. लळीत व त्यांचे बंधु प्रा. डॉ. बाळकृष्ण लळीत यांनी 2002 मध्ये लावला होता. गोव्यातील उसगाळीमळ, महाराष्ट्र-गोवा सीमेवरील विर्डी, हिवाळे, कुडोपी, खानवली (राजापूर), निवळी (रत्नागिरी) अशा अनेक ठिकाणी पश्चिम किनारपट्टीवर ही कातळशिल्पे आढळली असून त्यामध्ये काही परस्परसंबंध (लिनिएज) असण्याची शक्यता श्री. लळीत यांनी व्यक्त केली आहे. श्री. लळीत हे मूळचे सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्ह्याचे रहिवासी असून सद्या मुख्यमंत्र्यांचे जनसंपर्क अधिकारी म्हणुन कार्यरत आहेत.

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पुरातत्वीय दृष्ट्या खुप महत्वाची आणि या भागातील आदिम मानवी समुह व त्यांची वसतीस्थाने यांच्याबद्दल माहिती उपलब्ध होऊ शकतील, अशी कुडोपी व हिवाळे सारखी अनेक ठिकाणे कोकण किनारपट्टीवर आहेत. मात्र, त्यांचे तज्ञांकडुन वाचन होणे, अर्थ लावणे, त्यांचा कालावधी निश्चित करणे आवश्यक आहे. असे केल्यास कोकण प्रदेशाच्या इतिहासावर अधिक प्रकाश पडण्याची शक्यता आहे. तसेच, पर्यटनदृष्ट्याही हे स्थळ विकसित केल्यास जिल्ह्याच्या पर्यटन विकासालाही त्याचा हातभार लागेल. यासाठी शासनाने संबंधित क्षेत्र अधिग्रहीत करुन संरक्षित क्षेत्र म्हणुन जाहीर करावे लागेल. आपण तशी विनंती मुख्यमंत्री पृथ्वीराज चव्हाण आणि सिंधुदुर्गचे पालकमंत्री नारायण राणे यांना करणार असल्याचे श्री. लळीत यांनी सांगितले.
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कुडोपी येथील शोध माहिमेमध्ये मालवणचे चंद्रवदन कुडाळकर, गुरुनाथ राणे, गौरीश काजरेकर, गणेश मेस्त्री, गणेश कुशे, कुडोपीचे रहिवासी संतोष वरक, शुभेन्दू लळीत यांनी मोलाचे सहकार्य केल्याचे श्री. लळीत यांनी म्हटले आहे.