BALLARI: A UNESCO team visited Hampi’s historical monuments, listened to the music of the Stone Chariot and also viewed the Sapta Swara Mantapas. The history of Vijayanagara Empire was introduced to the UNESCO team by tourist guides.
At this time senior officials including Vijayanagara DC Kavitha S Mannikeri accompanied them. Further, in the background of the UNESCO team’s visit to Hampi, a stakeholders’ consultation meeting was organised in Hosapete by the Vijayanagara and Koppal district administrations. More than 22 representatives from various fields participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, a demand was made to support conservation of Hampi heritage monuments and sustainable tourism and to promote agri-tourism and farmstays, and to develop connecting roads to Hampi and tourist facilities. Along with the demand for ropeway and emergency medical facility at Anjanadri, a proposal was submitted for rejuvenation of Kamalapur lake, improvement of hospital and cleanliness system and implementation of ‘Hampi by Night’ project.
An expert from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), who was part of the UNESCO team, warned that if locals are kept away, there is danger of living heritage becoming lifeless. In the background of the suggestion to give priority to development of locals along with heritage conservation, Vijayanagara District deputy commissioner assured to consider the suggestions of the meeting in the new management plan.
