Adopt a heritage puts Hampi and Tipu's Palace on list, historians worry

The ambitious project has been launched under the pretext of promoting tourism to these sites. In reality, it robs the public of its monuments.

news Human Interest

Under the scheme “Adopt a Heritage”, initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture along with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), several monuments in the state will be put up for mass ‘adoption’ by private players in the country.

Launched on World Tourism day in 2017, the programme would entrust private companies, with the general maintenance of heritage sites in the country, by letting them adopt these sites.The scheme has been launched under the pretext of promoting Indian tourism and preserving the heritage sites. However, several concerns have been raised against the initiative by historians, activists and the public.

When the iconic Red Fort was adopted by the Bharti Dalmia group for a whopping Rs 25 crore, it became the first monument to be given away to a private entity. Massive criticism ensued this decision. That the most important monument in the political history of India was given away to a private company was a disconcerting thought for many.

Despite this outrage, one year later, Karnataka too is ready to give away some of its most precious monuments. The historic seat of the Vijayanagara Empire - Hampi, and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace in Bengaluru are two monuments listed in Phases 1 and 3 of the project respectively. According to sources, private entities such as Orange County Resorts and Hotels Ltd., V Resorts and online travel company Makemytrip are in talks to adopt these monuments.

On paying the quoted price and signing the MoU. these private entities will become ‘Monument Mitras’ or friends of the monument and enjoy exclusive control over a range of services and activities. From basic requirements such as security, signage, toilets, drinking water, shoe racks/covers and cloakrooms to advanced amenities such as cafeteria, an Interpretation Centre (Tourist Multi-Purpose Centre), digital screening, Light and Sound Shows with regular cultural shows, battery operated vehicles and other such services, the adoptive firms have immense control over these monuments.

Speaking to TNM, historian Arun Prasad said “Private parties here, who have or will sign the MoUs are allowed to put up advertising hoardings, sales counters and open up cafeterias,”

This means, that the private entities are free to leave their mark all over these heritage sites. Advertising their brand around the premises of their monuments, fixing up prices for visitors and offering exclusive discounts for those who avail the services of the brands are now possibilities they can explore.

Countering this criticism, many have come to the defense of this project by emphasising that the private entities have no part to play in the upkeep of the project.

“The conservation of the monuments will be ASI’s responsibility. To say ASI is ‘handing over the monument’ is incorrect. The private parties will take care of the maintenance of the amenities,” says Meera Iyer, Convenor, INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), Bangalore Chapter.