Karnataka, known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, is witnessing a rapid decline in its monuments. Despite being home to the second-largest number of centrally protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), neglect, encroachments, and vandalism are taking a severe toll on the state's historical treasures. The Times of India report in the recent past mentioned 11 per cent of the centrally protected monuments in Karnataka are encroached. This gives the state the dubious distinction of having the second highest number of encroached monuments in the country.
With 506 centrally protected monuments and 844 under the Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage (DAMH), Karnataka's preservation record is troubling. Encroachments are rampant, with surveys showing higher numbers than officially reported. For instance, Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to encroachers, including 18 sadhus at Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple, a protected ASI site. Similarly, Aihole, another heritage-rich site, has about 40 of its 120 monuments encroached upon, while Adil Shahi monuments in Vijayapura face a shocking 85% encroachment.
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| Hampi, KA< alamy.com |
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| Hampi karnatakatourism.com |
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| Bahmani tombs, Karnataka .ypsbengaluru.com |
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| Karnataka state monuments deccanherald.com |
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| Ruins of Hampi,dreamtime.com |
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| Karnataka state monuments deccanherald.com |
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| .Karnataka state monuments deccanherald.com |
Both ASI and DAMH suffer from severe resource constraints. ASI operates at 30-45% staff strength, leaving numerous monuments unmanaged, while the state government allocates only ₹5 crore annually for monument conservation, which is grossly inadequate to address the scale of degradation. Bureaucratic hurdles further exacerbate the issue, with officials often awaiting approvals from Delhi, causing delays in conservation work. Even with recent enhancements to approval limits, the slow pace of action continues to hinder timely interventions. Increased Funding: Both ASI and DAMH require significant budgetary support to recruit skilled staff and undertake extensive conservation work.
Experts emphasize the economic and cultural value of restoring historical monuments, yet Karnataka has consistently fallen short in this regard. Meera Iyer from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) highlights the government’s lack of action and calls for restoration to become a priority. Community involvement is crucial, as engaging locals in the protection of monuments through education and training can ensure their long-term preservation. Engage locals in monument protection through education, training, and employment as guides or caretakers
Raising awareness about the importance of heritage within formal education systems and fostering a sense of responsibility among citizens could make a significant difference.
Immediate and coordinated efforts are needed to address these issues. Comprehensive surveys, such as the state’s Samrakshana program, must be expedited to document the status of protected and unprotected monuments. Increased funding is essential to recruit skilled staff and undertake extensive conservation work. Decentralizing approval processes for smaller conservation projects can enable quicker implementation, while modern technology, such as 3D mapping, should be leveraged to monitor and preserve historical structures.
Karnataka’s historical monuments are irreplaceable repositories of culture and history. Their neglect is a disservice to future generations, and urgent action is required to halt their decline and ensure their preservation for posterity. This article is based on the following article:
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/the-erosion-of-karnatakas-heritage-brick-by-brick-923958.html
