MGP monthly meeting on Jan. 8

To discuss ‘Role of citizens in preserving heritage structures of Mysuru’

Mysuru: The monthly meeting of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) will be held on Jan. 8 (Sunday) at 4.30 pm at its premises, 6/1 Vivekananda Road, Yadavagiri.

The meeting will be discussing the role of citizens in preserving Mysuru’s heritage structures.

In recent years, Lansdowne and Devaraja Market, two of the heritage structures, have been in the news. While Karnataka Government has taken decisions to demolish them to construct new buildings, a section of the society led by Mysore Royal family and some activists are for restoring the old structure to preserve the heritage buildings.

There are about 160 heritage buildings/areas (mostly buildings) according to a report prepared by INTACH way back in 1980s. Thanks to the then Administrative Training Institute (ATI) Director General Chiranjiv Singh (IAS), MGP has a rare copy of this book. It  gives details of these heritage structures.

City’s well-known heritage experts Prof. N.S. Rangaraju and Dr. Syed Shakeeb-Ur-Rahman will interact with the participants to develop a plan of action to play a critical role to preserve the old charm of the city.

In 2020, Karnataka amended the Zonal Regulation Acts to preserve heritage buildings. However, from time to time the political leaders and bureaucrats violate the Heritage Act either knowingly or unknowingly. Unfortunately, when NGOs object to such violations, they are considered as anti-development.

Best example is the development of Chamundi Hill, which not only is a biodiversity hotspot but also has a rich heritage. However, in recent years, to promote tourism, Chamundi Hill has been vandalised by constructing multi-level parking lot and shops. It is to prevent such destruction of Mysuru’s rich heritage, MGP has organised this meeting, said Shreeshail Ramannavar, MGP President, in a press release.