State lobbies for Unesco tag, prepares list of prime destinations

Tourism dept to work in tandem with Archaeological, Kannada depts

While many heritage sites across India have got United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) tag with the latest being Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, the efforts of Karnataka State Tourism Department has borne little results.

The State government is now lobbying hard with the world organisation to get the tag for some its prime destinations.

The Tourism department has prepared a detailed report of destinations and reasons why they should be given the tag, Chairman and Additional Chief Secretary of Tourism, Arvind Jadhav said.

The destinations are—Bahamani monuments in Gulbarga, Bahamani and Barid Shahi monuments in Bidar, Adil Shahi monuments in Bijapur, monuments in Srirangapatna island town and sacred ensembles of the Hoysala kingdom. The report is now before State Heritage Commissioner for clearance, he added.

Tourism Minister R V Deshpande told Deccan Herald that government was lobbying for the tag as the destinations would get better protection and publicity.

The Tourism department is working in coordination with Archaeological and Kannada and Culture departments in this regard, he added.

The Bahamani monuments of Gulbarga comprise Gulbarga Fort, Great Mosque Fort and Haft Gumbad complex with seven tombs all built during 14th-15th century. While the Bahamani and Barid Shahi monuments at Bidar include Bidar Fort, Madrasa built by Mahmud Gawan, Bahamani tombs at Ashtur and Barid Tombs built during 16th century.

The Adil Shahi monuments in Bijapur comprise Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rouza tomb, Jehan Begum tomb, Ainapur, Ain-ul-Mulk's tomb, Bara Kaman, Chand Bavi, Mecca Masjid, Ramalinga tank, Gummata Bavdi, well at Ibrahimpur and others.

The monuments in Srirangapatna Island Town comprise Fort, Mysore Gate, Bangalore Gate, Colonel Bailey's Dungeon, Inman's Dungeon and monuments protected under Archaeological Survey of India and State Archaeological Survey like Tipu’s Palace Lal Mahal, Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu’s Tomb and Magazine House, Hanging Bridge and others, respectively.

The sacred ensembles of the Hoysala kingdom comprise temples at Belur and Halebid, built between 11th and 14th centuries.