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| saving old vernacular architecture, Karnataka, slideshare.com |
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| old traditional building Karnataka, dreamline.com |
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| Preserving Vernacular architecture, Karnataka, pinrest.com |
Colonial-era structures in Karnataka face neglect due to several reasons, leading to their deterioration and eventual loss. One significant issue is the lack of prioritization by authorities. Heritage conservation is often overshadowed by modern infrastructure projects, as colonial structures are frequently perceived as outdated relics rather than cultural and architectural assets. Budget constraints exacerbate the problem, with insufficient funds allocated for the upkeep and restoration of these historic buildings. This neglect leaves them vulnerable to natural decay and encroachments.
Ambiguities regarding ownership and responsibility further hinder preservation efforts. Many colonial structures are owned by government departments or leased to private entities, creating confusion over who is responsible for their maintenance. This lack of accountability results in delayed or inadequate restoration work, leaving the buildings to crumble over time.
Urbanization and real estate pressures also pose a significant threat. Colonial-era properties often occupy prime real estate in cities, making them targets for redevelopment. Instead of preserving and repurposing these structures, authorities and developers often prioritize constructing new buildings, leading to the demolition or severe alteration of heritage sites. For instance, the Krumbiegel Hall in Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bengaluru, once an iconic colonial structure, was left in a state of disrepair for decades before restoration efforts began. Similarly, the Bangalore Cantonment area, known for its colonial bungalows and churches, has witnessed widespread encroachments and demolitions due to rapid urban expansion.
Public awareness about the value of colonial heritage remains low, compounding the problem. Without active community involvement, these sites are left to deteriorate unnoticed. Strengthening heritage laws, ensuring dedicated funding, and fostering public engagement are essential steps to preserve Karnataka’s colonial architectural legacy. Examples like the Town Hall in Bengaluru and the Devaraja Market in Mysuru highlight the urgent need for a balanced approach between development and conservation.
In view of the numerous heritage structure slowly falling apart due to laxity on the part of the government and the department concerned, a Joint inspection of seven museums and one art gallery in six districts revealed the following instances of non-compliance. But the government's response to each of these aspects was not satisfactory and CAG demanded long-term, medium-term and annual conservation plans to protect and conserve the identified monuments. According to article 49 the state is bound to protect every monument or place of object of artistic or historic interest from spoliation, disfigurement, destruction, removal, disposal or export as the case may be, the report stated.
CAG came down on the Karnataka government for poor monument conservation, fund misuse, staff shortages. Apart, inadequacies in utilisation of funds allocated for five years from 2017 further slowed down the work. Out of budget allocation of Rs 146.81 crore, the department utilised only Rs 81.58 crore towards core activities such as preservation and conservation. The remaining amount went towards administrative, maintenance and grants to heritage authorities. Instead of using a small amount on administration. it is said, 30% had been spent on administration, CAG report pointed out.
Encroachments around the monuments in numerous places were rampant and the report failed to include as many as 9,552 monuments, covering 19 talukas as covered under Samrakshane Scheme and identified. About the upkeep of the monuments the state government was bogged down by shortage of caretakers for periodic maintenance . It was found out that 72 monuments had no attendants. Further, there was a shortage of manpower (53%) in the technical wing that had only 27 as against 53 sanctioned posts.
On December 12, 2023 the report, “Performance Audit on Preservation and Conservation of State Protected Historical Monuments and Antiquities in Karnataka,” was tabled in the state Legislative Assembly. As of today nothing concrete has been done to save the dying monuments across Karnataka.
According to Historian Suresh Moona in 1986, Prof KN Iyengar, archaeology professor started Karnataka Heritage Society. He identified over 800 heritage structures in Bengaluru. Today, just 49 appear on the list of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which enjoys consultative status with UNESCO. That the rest of the monuments either disappeared or pulled down giving way to urbanization or fell on their own due to negligence reflects the poor state of heritage monuments not only in India but across India. A major part of the problem is due to unchecked encroachments and long court bottlenecks
https://thesouthfirst.com/featured/the-many-lives-of-bengalurus-colonial-era-buildings
