Reclaiming cultural landscape of Ramtek

Abstract

Ramtek’, in Maharashtra bounded by Ramgiri hill, Kaikai hill and several hills and lakes, the city stands for its importance of cultural and religious beliefs and values . Ramgiri hill landscape is the visualization of the events that took place over there which leads to all the integral cultural and religious activities of the region. Ram mandir situated on the crown of Ramagiri hill is known for all the mythological beliefs attached to the hill and its rich cultural and religious landscape. However, Ramgiri hill losing its forest cover due to forest fragmentation, polluted and neglected wetlands no longer have its true identity which leads to spiritual, cultural and emotional disengagement. Such a rich landscape which inspired Poet Kalidasa to write ‘Meghaduta’ is now degrading. Along with this, the flooding, groundwater level depletion, scarcity of water are the concerns which are affecting the agricultural practices adversely. Hence, this study explores the measures to restore the landscape of Ramagiri hill, interventions to restore the natural assets first ultimately leading to restoring the lost sacred landscape of the Ramagiri hill. Keywords- Cultural Landscape, fragmented forest, sacred landscape, cultural disengagement