
Meera Bhardwaj @ Hirebenekal:
Hirebenekal is not just a megalithic site but a reserve forest teeming with unique wildlife. One of the largest dolmen sites and most impressive in Peninsular India, it has more than 400 funerary structures as also comprising rock paintings which is yet to be dated.
The dolmens which are burial sites are estimated to be between 800-200 BCE. Located in hill ranges on the left bank of Tungabhadra River, Hirebenekal is situated in Gangavati taluk, Koppal district of Karnataka.

With the ongoing survey & identification of land for a nuclear power plant near to this heritage site, it has raised serious concerns on the preservation of megalithic and biodiversity rich site in Karnataka.
A perfect habitat for a variety of birdlife, one can see many species even as we traverse the hillocks and are amazed to see the a perfectly made stone drum.

Presently, awaiting World Heritage Site tag from UNESCO, Hirebenekal is just next to Chikkabenekal which has been surveyed for setting up of a nuclear power plant. Further, Arisinakeri forests along with Methagal area is reserved for conservation of sloth bears.
Bankapura Wolf Sanctuary is another thriving habitat for the endangered Indian Gray Wolf in this district. Added to this, Hiresulekere which is close to Hampi, is home to many sloth bears and is likely to be conserved for the protection of sloth bears.
Ecologists and activists opine setting up of a nuclear plant in this region will have serious consequences on the habitat, wildlife, ancient heritage and people’s life and livelihood.

Interspersed with rocky hillocks and thorny scrubs, the habitat of Hirebenekal is home to a variety of species including sloth bears, leopards, striped hyenas, fox, wolves, jungle cats, snakes, monitor lizards, etc.
This unique habitat is teeming with bird life while the top of the Hirebenekal Heritage Site is home to a water body full of lilies. Further, there is need for wildlife survey and setting up of camera traps, says an activist. Although villagers say that forest officials had set up two camera traps when they informed them of the presence of rich wildlife in this megalithic site, they are yet to come out with their findings.

Green Minute visited the unique megalithic site of Hirebenekal which is an ASI protected monument since 2001. Although it is protected but much needs to be done to preserve the site as it is open to cattle grazing and many people carry away the stones for construction.
The megalithic site comprises of small and large dolmens, rock circles, cysts, rock art paintings and the rock kettle drum (nagara) on way to the dolmen area. This is spread over an undulating area of three-square kilometre which is spatially segregated. Some of these have forms that are unique to this site.

However, it is the gram panchayat and villagers of Hirebenekal village who are making all efforts to protect this site from treasure hunters and poachers of wildlife. It is the villagers who have marked the way – how to go up and down the Megalithic Site that rises up to more than 1800 feet. Presently, they are highly agitated by the survey done for a nuclear power plant.
Badri, a farmer and guide from this village said, “We are disturbed by the recent surveys done by the district authorities. When this site is awaiting World Heritage Site tag and is a habitat for many mammals, reptiles and birds, where was the need for a survey so close to this historical site?”

According to Hirebenekal villagers, there are about 6-8 leopards, 5-6 sloth bears, wolves, foxes, rabbits, etc. Further, a variety of bird species were seen thronging this unique scrubland and rocky hillocks.
Apart from this, snakes, rock agamas, chameleons, scorpions and other reptile species abounds in this rocky hill which has caves, water bodies and thorny bushes and scrub vegetation. Even as this reporter, Tharangini and Umashankar climbed the hill, we clearly saw the fresh scat of a sloth bear.

Last December, a preliminary survey was conducted by district authorities for identifying a 1200-acre site for setting up of a nuclear power plant. Two locations that have been identified are very close to Hirebenekal, Yedehalli and Arisinakeri – which has been proposed for formation of a bear sanctuary.
“Now the worrying factor is if the power plant comes so near to the World Heritage Sites of Hampi and Hirebenekal as also a biodiversity rich region, what will happen to protected sites, our lives and also our paddy fields. We are neither prepared to part with our farm lands nor lose our rich historical and wildlife heritage,” says Badri.

Soaking in the amazing scene, we climb our way to the Hirebenekal Dolmen Site comprising the largest number of burial structures belonging to Iron Age.
It is unbelievable, we are awestruck at the monuments created by our ancestors, thousands of years ago with minimal tools and implements.

Not just a megalithic heritage site, the dolmens are home to many varieties and species of flora and fauna that is found in rocky hillocks and scrublands.
After crossing the dolmens ranging from 3 feet to 15 feet, we come to a beautiful water body at the apex of the hillock.

This lake is full of white lilies and of course, bee eaters, herons, cormorants and other birds. The dolmens are spread across a vast area that is undulating and home to many kinds of flora and fauna.
Agitating against the survey of this area for a nuclear power plant, local activists and villagers say, “We are hoping the Centre and State governments will realize their folly and preserve this heritage and biodiversity site as the setting up of a nuclear plant is likely to cause serious damage to the heritage site as also paddy lands and destroy our livelihood and our health. We get a lot of tourists to see this heritage site and also birders to watch the many unique wildlife species thriving in this belt.”

Even as we bid our farewell to this ancient land, the people of Hirebenekal say they have spoken to their MLA Janardhan Reddy but hope better sense prevails on the part of both central and state authorities and stress that they reject any proposal for a nuclear power plant in Koppal district of Karnataka.
(PHOTO CREDIT: ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY MEERA BHARDWAJ)