Enhancing the identity of lonar crater buldhana, Maharashtra

Abstract

Landscapes matter to people. They shape national, regional and local identities, affect quality of life and provide the arena within which development and conservation takes place. (Appleton, 1975; Scott, 2002) Lonar is one of Maharashtra’s best-kept secrets. For all of its rareness, surprisingly few have heard of Lonar Lake apart from locals, researchers and occasional trekkers. Most tourists come to nearby Aurangabad to visit the Ajanta and Ellora UNESCO World heritage Sites, but never make it as far as Lonar. It is tragic that the lake which holds together a unique ecosystem, and has aided human civilization in its quest for understanding the mysteries of the universe, is in desperate need of intervention. The opportunity of exploring lonar crater, so that I can attempt to enhance its identity through Landscape Design emerged. To connect tangible & intangible aspects of Lonar town (urban area) to the crater as a whole, and to analyze the prospects and problems of the same at the Dhar stream-as a sample. This design thesis is an attempt to enrich the quality of its uniqueness through landscape design; and to bring it on the tourism map of Maharashtra and also to conserve its ecology & geology.