Gandhinagar, August 26: Residents of Champaner-Pavagadh in Panchmahals, the UNESCO-designated World Heritage site, have been irked by restrictions put up by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on their movement around some monuments in the site.

On Monday, Champaner villagers have decided to demonstrate with black flags and placards in front of Chief Secretary Sudhir Mankad and ASI Director General Anshu Vaidya. Mankad and Vaidya will visit Champaner to participate in the quarterly meeting of the Chamapner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Authority, a body meant to oversee planned development of the site.

Village Sarpanch Kirtida Pandya said over phone, “We have been seeking limited relaxation in movement through some of the monuments that constitute the archaeological park. All talks have failed. So now we would demonstrate before the top officials.”

Panchmahals Collector Milind Torawane, when contacted, said that Archaeological Survey of India restrictions have been in place for a long time. It is only that they are being implemented more vigorously now to prevent the monuments from further damage.

“We have given a patient hearing to the locals. The sarpanch is part of the authority and all concerns can be heard during talks,” he added.