The Hindu : Karnataka News : `We do not want to be moved out of Hampi'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 09, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

`We do not want to be moved out of Hampi'

By Our Staff Correspondent

HOSPET, JUNE 8. "Please do not think of moving people out of Hampi. Instead consider us a part of this heritage centre and give us better opportunities,'' was one of the views that emerged at the stakeholders meeting organised by the Hampi World Heritage Site Management Authority, Archaeological Survey of India, on Tuesday.

The other important view that was aired by the people from Hampi and surrounding villages and Anegundi was: "Construction of the bridge across the Tungabhadra is a must if you want to link Hampi and Anegundi.''

Representatives from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) also participated in the meeting organised at Anegundi and Hospet.

The meeting was a first step in the process of preparing a comprehensive site management plan for not only retaining the World Heritage Status enjoyed by Hampi but also for preservation, conservation and development of the site.

UNESCO, which has placed Hampi in the list of World Heritage Site in Danger, had, oft-repeatedly, suggested among other things a comprehensive site management plan to be evolved.

Ravi Kulkarni, Managing Director, Hampi Multi-purpose Souhardha Coop. Limited, submitted a detailed memorandum about the world heritage site.

He was of the opinion that Hampi, with "Trikaala puja" being offered to Lord Virupaksha, the presiding deity of Hampi, was a living monument. He also pointed out that it was the Hampi Bazaar, which had kept cultural and religious activities alive there.

"The people of Hampi can adopt any change in this respect but we will not give up Hampi and we do not want to see Hampi as a `skeleton of monuments'."

He also suggested that all constructions, reconstruction and destruction activities at Hampi should be stopped till the comprehensive site management plan was prepared.

The authorities, instead of thinking of evicting people from Hampi, should consider them as part of the Hampi heritage.

Endorsing his views, Joshi appealed to the authorities to ensure that the steps taken for developing Hampi would not hurt the religious sentiments of the people.

Improving the irrigation system by taking up repairs to the ancient canals, tanks and wells, withdrawing of toll taxes and entry fees, providing concession to school students visiting Hampi monuments, preventing pollution, protection to monuments were among other suggestions made at the meet.

Feng Jing, representative from UNESCO, explained why Hampi was placed in the list of World Heritage Site in Danger and said that it was mainly because of the lack of a site management plan.

Underlining the need to formulate a site management plan, Mr. Jing said that it was the responsibility of all concerned, especially the people, who are the primary stakeholders, to preserve and conserve the World Heritage Site.

S.N.Jayaram, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Authority, made it clear that it was inevitable for the people to retain Hampi as a world heritage site and appealed to them to make sacrifices for the purpose.

"How to retain Hampi's status has been the prime concern. We will have to take up restoration, conservation and development in a systematic way. In this regard, we will have to a strike a balance. In addition, we should also make use of the label of world heritage status granted to Hampi by UNESCO and market it to get more tourist traffic, which in turn will provide more employment opportunities," he said.

At Anegundi, people representing various sectors, pointed out that the footbridge, linking Hampi and Virpapur Gadda (island), which has been demolished, would have benefited the tourist traffic at Hampi. They also urged for renewing of licences for starting hotels, taking up quarrying, among other things, as these activities were a source of livelihood for several people.

Shama Pawar of the Kishkinda Trust, a non-government organisation, said development works could be taken up with proper planning and by giving examples. Srirangadevarayalu, former MLA from Gangavati, said steps should be taken to complete the construction of the bridge and formation of a bypass road.

Raja Achyut Devaraya, a scion of the royal family, also participated.

Paul Trouilloud, Kammeir, both part of the UNESCO team, Usha Ganesh, Principal Secretary, Kannada and Culture, Vijayabhasker, Commissioner, Heritage, Archaeology and Museums, Poonacha, Director, Archaeology Survey of India (Monuments), Ritish Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Koppal, attended the meeting.

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