It appears that illegal mining in an area adjacent to the Hampi World Heritage Site has not caught the attention of the authorities concerned, though they have been claiming that mining in and around Hampi has been completely stopped.
When contacted, sources in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) here conceded that a quarry near Venkatapur, which is within the core and buffer zone of the site, has revived its operations.
“It is a serious matter and has to be stopped immediately,” sources told The Hindu.
Following the reports of illegal quarrying in the core and buffer zones of the heritage site in Hampi, the ASI deputed a task force, comprising senior officers and site engineers, to study the current status of all the monuments and prepare a list of the dilapidated ones.
The task force was also expected to suggest measures for protecting and preserving the monuments.
Enquiries revealed that during the inspection on June 18 and 19, the task force members had come across quarrying in Venkatapura, Venkatapura camp, Bukkasagara and other places. It had also been noticed that explosives were being used for blasting rocks less than 2 km from the Gejjala mantap, which is located at the beginning of the road that leads to Vijaya Vittala temple complex.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Director-General of the ASI, New Delhi, has expressed concern over these reports and sought to know, through a letter, whether there was any threat to the integrity and authenticity of the site and has directed the Bangalore office to submit a detailed status report on the issue, immediately.
Based on the report of the task force, G.S. Narasimhan, Superintending Archaeologist, Bangalore Circle, has directed the commissioner of the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority to submit a detailed report about the exact location of the quarrying.
“As it is a very serious matter, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) may seek a report in this regard. You are, therefore, requested to treat this as most urgent and send a detailed report at the earliest,” the letter said.
In addition, the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, and the director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, have been asked to initiate steps to stop quarrying around the Hampi heritage site.
Author: M. Ahiraj | Source: The Hindu [June 22, 2011]
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| Officials of the Archaeological Survey of India inspecting the quarrying operation at Venkatapura, which is in the core and buffer zone of the Hampi World Heritage Site [Credit: The Hindu] |
“It is a serious matter and has to be stopped immediately,” sources told The Hindu.
Following the reports of illegal quarrying in the core and buffer zones of the heritage site in Hampi, the ASI deputed a task force, comprising senior officers and site engineers, to study the current status of all the monuments and prepare a list of the dilapidated ones.
The task force was also expected to suggest measures for protecting and preserving the monuments.
Enquiries revealed that during the inspection on June 18 and 19, the task force members had come across quarrying in Venkatapura, Venkatapura camp, Bukkasagara and other places. It had also been noticed that explosives were being used for blasting rocks less than 2 km from the Gejjala mantap, which is located at the beginning of the road that leads to Vijaya Vittala temple complex.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Director-General of the ASI, New Delhi, has expressed concern over these reports and sought to know, through a letter, whether there was any threat to the integrity and authenticity of the site and has directed the Bangalore office to submit a detailed status report on the issue, immediately.
Based on the report of the task force, G.S. Narasimhan, Superintending Archaeologist, Bangalore Circle, has directed the commissioner of the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority to submit a detailed report about the exact location of the quarrying.
“As it is a very serious matter, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) may seek a report in this regard. You are, therefore, requested to treat this as most urgent and send a detailed report at the earliest,” the letter said.
In addition, the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, and the director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, have been asked to initiate steps to stop quarrying around the Hampi heritage site.
Author: M. Ahiraj | Source: The Hindu [June 22, 2011]