Elephanta Island: UNESCO heritage site near Mumbai with no basic infrastructure for locals
Elephanta Island: UNESCO heritage site near Mumbai with no basic infrastructure for locals
Just 6-7 miles from Mumbai, Maharashtra’s financial capital, lies Elephanta Island, a world-famous tourist destination. While the island attracts thousands of tourists, its three villages Shetbunder, Morabunder, and Rajbunder remain cut off from basic facilities.
Elephanta Island, also known as Gharapuri, is home to the famous Elephanta Caves. These rock-cut caves, created between the 9th and 13th centuries, are known for their grand sculptures.
In 1987, UNESCO declared Elephanta Caves a World Heritage Site. Every year, over a million tourists visit the island. However, despite being a global attraction, the 1,200 residents of Elephanta Island lack schools, medical facilities, and essential services.
The only way to reach the island is by boat. Residents must travel all the way to Mumbai even for small necessities. There are no schools for children, and villagers depend on Mumbai for healthcare and other services.
Tourism is the main source of livelihood, but locals face infrastructure challenges daily. Even though Elephanta is known worldwide, its villagers struggle to access basic necessities.
