Plans afoot to declare entire Arnattarmalai hillock as a protected monument

The State Archaeology Department plans to declare the entire Arnattarmalai at Velayuthampalayam in Karur as a “protected monument.” Considering the significance of Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds on top of the hillock, the department declared the particular area as a protected monument under sub-section of Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966 on June 17, 1978. In order to preserve the monument, the department, after an in-depth study, has decided to declare the entire Arnattarmalai hillock as a protected monument. N. Rajesh, Assistant Executive Engineer, Department of Archaeology, Chennai, who led the team, told The Hindu that it had become necessary to bring the entire hillock, spread over 25.78 hectares, under the protected zone to preserve the monument. As per an Archaeology Department notification in 2003 and a subsequent Government Order of the Tamil Development, Culture and Religious Department in 2005, Mr. Rajesh said that an area of 100 metres from the protected limits and beyond it up to 200 metres near or adjoining protected monument would be declared as prohibited and regulated area respectively for the purpose of mining and construction under Rule 33 of the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1971.