Development and conservation continue to be in conflict in Karnataka’s heritage sites and cities. Cases in point are the proposed cable car project in Shravanabelagola, which was later shelved and construction of two bridges across River Tungabhadra that prompted UNESCO to place Hampi in the list of World Heritage Sites In Danger. In Srirangapatna, unregulated urbanisation and encroachments in and around heritage structures have caused concern.

Should the government make protecting history a priority or rather focus on development needs of the regions? The answer lies in strategy-planning and balancing conservation and development. Conservation architects and archaeologists argue conservation is the beginning of development. They say many development policies are not sensitive to heritage.

Conservation is being ignored in the process of development and Karnataka has completely ignored it, says Conservation Architect Pankaj Modi. “Unless conservation becomes an integral part of the development plan, it is difficult to preserve our heritage.”

Majority town planners do not take cognisance of the heritage, either in the built form or historic landscape, although there is a provision in the Town Planning Act for special heritage areas, says Superintending Archaeologist S V P Halakatti. As a result, the core areas of many historic cities have dramatically changed with development, as reflected in the mere fragments of heritage that remain, he explains. Perhaps, this is the reason why not a single Indian historic city is on the World Heritage List, says Halakatti. Government departments and organisations associated with conservation stress that if development takes place with a focus on heritage, it will help the cause. However, unregulated development in historic areas will act as a hindrance.

Conservation is often misunderstood as anti-development, says Halakatti. Global examples point to the fact that conservation of heritage could be economically viable. Conservation should be an integral part of development, emphasises Minja Yang, Director, Cluster Office-South Asia, UNESCO. “India has many historic cities with invaluable heritage monuments, but there is no proper investment in these assets, leading them to be undermined,” she says. In places like Hampi, Halebidu, Badami and Aihole, what other assets are there, except heritage?”

What needs to be done?: It’s all about strategy and planning ahead, say experts. Many find masterplans a useful component in addressing the conflict. The needs of the people living in the area, monuments, heritage elements, natural and cultural elements along with needs of tourism should be addressed in tandem, says Chairman, Hampi World Heritage Site Management Authority, Aravind Srivastav.

The draft masterplan for Hampi, for example, is seeking to regulate developments: where roads, infrastructure, resorts etc should come up, says a source in the Town Planning Department. The suggestions of everyone, from UNESCO to the panchayat, have been taken and there is a two-month period for any individual to file objections, says the source.

DRAFT PLAN
HAMPI
* Core archaeological areas as pedestrian zones to restrict vehicular traffic
* 100-metre prohibited zones around ASI monuments
* Diversion of a State highway passing through core
archeological area
*Ban on commercial establishments in
Virupaksha Bazaar
* Removal of encroachments in World Heritage Area
* Promoting homestays
* Bridge across Tungabhadra; traffic regulations to ban heavy vehicles
*Certain river islands as ecologically sensitive no-development zones

SRIRANGAPATNA
Parts of Srirangapatna Fort have been used for cultivation of agricultural crops and some locals have built homes too. The State government will spend over Rs 1 crore on renovation of monuments.

Monuments to be taken up for conservation by Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage:

* Hanging bridge: Beautification and chain-link fencing
* Bathing ghat near Water Gate
* Janana Mantapa
* Bangalore Gate
* Ranagambha
* Armouries
*Fort wall entrance, next to Mysore Gate Archaeological Survey of India also has eight centrally protected monuments here.