The reporter learned from the Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute that the third phase construction project of protection facilities for small and medium-sized grottoes in Dazu Rock Carvings has been launched recently. The project is planned to be fully completed by 2026, achieving full coverage of protection facilities for 68 small and medium-sized grottoes, completely changing the previous difficulties of simple protection and weak management faced by small and medium-sized grottoes, and building a systematic and long-term protection facility and mechanism for rural grottoes. Dazu Rock Carvings is currently the only world cultural heritage in Chongqing. In addition to core grottoes such as Baoding Mountain, Beishan Mountain, Nanshan Mountain, Shimen Mountain, and Shizhuan Mountain, there are also dozens of small and medium-sized grottoes distributed in Dazu District. These small and medium-sized grottoes and the core grottoes of Dazu Rock Carvings are representatives of folk culture and stone carving art in Bashu area since the Tang and Song dynasties. However, due to the widespread dispersion of small and medium-sized grottoes in rural areas and long-term exposure to natural environments, there are widespread diseases such as water seepage erosion, moss growth, and rock cracking and loosening. Many statues in small and medium-sized grottoes are also at risk of damage. According to Hu Qianqian, director of the Planning and Construction Department of Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute, two phases of protection facilities construction projects involving 46 small and medium-sized grottoes in Dazu Rock Carvings have been implemented previously. The third phase launched this time is a representative project of Dazu Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Research Institute during the "Tenth Five Year Plan" period, which includes 22 small and medium-sized grottoes included in district level cultural relics protection units in Dazu District, and also covers relevant grottoes in Tongnan District and Chengkou County. Therefore, it is also a demonstration project for the protection of small and medium-sized grottoes in Sichuan and Chongqing. The focus of the construction project for the protection facilities of small and medium-sized grottoes is on the protection facilities of the grotto cultural relics, mainly including the reinforcement of dangerous rock masses, foundation compaction, addition of niches and eaves, and the reconstruction and construction of protective buildings. At the same time, attention is paid to synchronously improving the surrounding supporting facilities such as pedestrian passages, drainage ditches, fire pools, and intelligent security systems. We will strictly follow the principles of minimal intervention and original ecological protection. While building and improving protection facilities, we will also implement 24-hour remote monitoring and regular inspections, making these precious cultural heritages new landmarks that activate rural cultural vitality and highlight regional cultural characteristics, "said Hu Xiangqian. (New Society)