Tulu Academy identifies heritage spots

The Tulu Academy led by President Palthadi Ramakrishna Achar had written a letter to the Tourism Department and the Karnataka Chief Minister a few months back, requesting to develop and preserve the historical places of the Tulu land.

The Academy identified few places for the purpose including Bendr Theertha, Matsya Theertha in Thodikana, Pajaka- the birth place of Madhwacharya in Udupi, Padumale- the birth place of Koti Chennaih, Enmoor-the place where Koti-Chennaih died, Kella Puthhige in Karkala where Kalkuda, the architect of Karkala Gommateshwara was born, Maravanthe beach and Jamalabad Fort. Following the request and the constant demand from the Academy, the Tourism Department officials visited the spots and held discussions with the general public and the office-bearers of the Academy during their visit.

Speaking to City Herald, Academy President Palthadi Ramakrishna Achar said the Academy had written letter to the Tourism Department with a hope that the significant places of Tulunadu would be developed and preserved. “With the same intention, we had written to the district administration too, urging them to take up the initiative in this regard. The district administration had in turn written to the Academy assuring of extending their help to meet our demands. It has been quite a long time since the Tourism officials had visited various places, but we have not received any response so far,” he said.

On the other hand, Tourism Department Deputy Director Shivalingappa said the Department can’t consider the proposal submitted by the Academy alone, rather it requires a proposal to come from the side of the people. “Most of all the places identified by the Tulu Academy belong to private land owners. When it is the reality, the Department has no right to acquire the land of those land owners and declare the places as heritage spots,” he informed.

The Department officer said that the public participation would play a major role in developing and preserving the heritage spots of Tulunadu. If the government has to invest fund to develop these places, then there must be support and co-operation from the local public. If the land owners themselves come forward to donate the land, then the Department would think in terms of developing the places, he said. With it, the chances are bleak of developing the heritage of Tulunadu in a near future.