BENGALURU: Pointing out that Karnataka has been lagging behind in recent times in the tourism sector, the high court on Saturday suggested providing proper facilities at the Hampi world heritage site to promote tourism.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit made this suggestion to the state government while hearing a PIL seeking the removal of illegal/unauthorized buildings in the vicinity of Sowmya Keshava temple in Nagamangala town of Mandya district.
The chief justice noted that in the 1990s, Karnataka was leading in tourism but of late, Madhya Pradesh and other states have nudged ahead. He added that as far as Hampi is concerned, the government can take some measures by taking the opinion of experts and by adopting the best practices being followed in other places.
He further pointed out that there are several small countries in the world that depend on tourism for their budget with no other industry or other revenue-generating source in place.
At this juncture, advocate-general Shashikiran Shetty said there are severe restrictions with regard to undertaking construction activities in Hampi area.
However, the bench was of the view that with Karnataka having such major tourist destinations, it shouldn’t be difficult to generate revenue from them by setting up proper infrastructure.
Directive to ASI
On constructions surrounding Sowmya Keshava temple, the bench directed Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to issue show-cause notice to 1,566 identified and other constructions, if any, situated within the prohibited as well as regulated zones, calling upon them to submit their response with supporting documents within two weeks. Action has to be taken six weeks thereafter.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit made this suggestion to the state government while hearing a PIL seeking the removal of illegal/unauthorized buildings in the vicinity of Sowmya Keshava temple in Nagamangala town of Mandya district.
The chief justice noted that in the 1990s, Karnataka was leading in tourism but of late, Madhya Pradesh and other states have nudged ahead. He added that as far as Hampi is concerned, the government can take some measures by taking the opinion of experts and by adopting the best practices being followed in other places.
He further pointed out that there are several small countries in the world that depend on tourism for their budget with no other industry or other revenue-generating source in place.
At this juncture, advocate-general Shashikiran Shetty said there are severe restrictions with regard to undertaking construction activities in Hampi area.
However, the bench was of the view that with Karnataka having such major tourist destinations, it shouldn’t be difficult to generate revenue from them by setting up proper infrastructure.
Directive to ASI
On constructions surrounding Sowmya Keshava temple, the bench directed Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to issue show-cause notice to 1,566 identified and other constructions, if any, situated within the prohibited as well as regulated zones, calling upon them to submit their response with supporting documents within two weeks. Action has to be taken six weeks thereafter.
