Organic clay plaster is Ajanta’s sore heel. Rainwater seepage, fluctuating humidity foster a rich microbiotic and insect life. Bat guano and humans involved in its decay
Ajanta, Maharashtra,date of issue: April 17, 2023 , Updates: April 8, 2023 02:18 IST
Ajanta Caves; (Photo: Raghu Rai)
CAves, natural or man-made, have special micro-climatic conditions that support the entire ecosystem. The organic clay plaster is Ajanta’s Achilles heel, with rainwater seepage, humidity and its fluctuations creating a rich microbiotic and insect life, and bats and humans contributing to its decay