PATNA, April 12 -- The environment and forest department has kicked off a Rs.50 crore project to turn the rugged Barabar Hills in Jehanabad's Makhdumpur block into a major eco-tourism centre, preserving its ancient caves while adding modern visitor facilities.

The plan was first announced by chief minister Nitish Kumar during his Pragati Yatra outreach programme. On Thursday, environment & forest department minister Pramod Kumar made an on-the-spot inspection of the ongoing work, checking progress and pressing officials to stick to quality, deadlines and environmental safeguards.

Barabar Hills have drawn historians and travellers for centuries because they house India's oldest rock-cut caves, carved in the 3rd century BCE during the Mau...