Mysuru: The City of Palaces and Museums will add one more feather to its cap when the Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute sets up a Tribal Museum shortly. This is the first time a museum of this sort will be opened.

Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSRTI) is an arm of Karnataka State Tribal Development Department and is presently located at a private building behind Jagadamba Petrol Bunk in Kuvempunagar.

KSRTI Director Prof. T.T. Basavanagowda, who decided to have a building of their own, sent a proposal to Mysuru Urban Development Authority. Due to sustained efforts, the then MUDA Commissioner S. Palaiah had allotted nearly two acres (5,188 sq. metre) in Treasury Employees Layout behind Christ Public School, near Kergalli.

The land was transferred to KSRTI on payment of Rs.28 lakh. It has got permission for an action plan from the government to construct a building at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 crore.

KSRTI set up with a mission to conduct research and evaluate studies on problems relating to Scheduled Tribes, will have a museum and training centre and administrative buildings.

It has been working on socio-economic and educational aspects of tribals in the State and so far, along with recommendations, 18 reports have been submitted to the  government, said Prof. Basavanagouda speaking to Star of Mysore.

The construction work will be taken up by Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society and the tender process has been completed. Chief Minister Siddharamaiah will lay the foundation stone as soon as the dates are finalised, he said.