The Hindu : Karnataka News : `Live with Hampi, not in Hampi'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 28, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

`Live with Hampi, not in Hampi'

By Our Staff Correspondent

The monuments at Hampi

HAMPI, MAY 27. The Bellary Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of Hampi World Heritage Site Management Authority, S.N. Jayaram, on Wednesday appealed to the people "to live with Hampi and not to live in Hampi only."

Speaking at the "stake-holders" meet at the Kannada University here, he said that such a step would help not only in preserving the rich cultural heritage of Hampi but would also enable it to be retained in the list of World Heritage Sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

He said that in order to retain the World Heritage Status enjoyed by Hampi, it was inevitable to follow UNESCO guidelines and that people had to make small sacrifices. He called upon them to give their suggestions in this regard.

The stake-holders' meet was organised by the Archaeological Survey of India in Association with the Authority and School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, to ascertain the opinion of the people residing in and around Hampi about the steps to be taken to preserve its cultural and archaeological environment and the status of the world heritage site.

Prof. Nalini Thakur of the School of Planning and Architecture said that the views of the `stake-holders' would come in handy in preparing a master plan for the development of Hampi. An audio-video presentation on the study of monuments , ancient tanks, irrigation system and also what needs to be done was also made.

Satyaprakash of INTACH said that Hampi was one of the unique World Heritage Sites and the development work there should be in tune with UNESCO guidelines. S.V.P. Halkatti, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, said that it was everyone's responsibility to conserve the monuments at the Hampi World Heritage Site. All developments proposed would be implemented without affecting the livelihood of the people residing in Hampi.

A majority of the stake holders said that the agencies concerned with the development of Hampi should work in tandem. Some wanted the authorities to release the compensation amount for the land acquired for construction of a road at Hampi.

A few others urged the authorities not to add artificial beauty to Hampi in the name of development.

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