Mysuru: As the Dasara festival approaches, the clamour for a separate authority for Chamundi Hill, the world-renowned centre of devotion, is being heard loudly. The Chamundi Hill is one of the tourist attractions and houses Goddess Chamundeshwari Temple.
Chamundeshwari MLA G. T. Deve Gowda, said that there is a lot of demand regarding the formation of the Authority. It was proposed in a meeting held recently under the presidentship of District In-Charge Minister Somashekhar. Mysuru – Kodagu MP Pratap Simha has also given voice to it. With this the discussion of the Authority has come to the fore, he said.
It is at the insistence of many personalities that the Authority should have a comprehensive system for quick implementation of decisions related to keeping the hill as a hill. The demand is that an independent statutory authority like the one created to undertake the development and management work of Male Mahadeshwaraswamy Temple in Chamarajanagara District. The Chamundi Hill Protection Committee has also extended support to formation of authority. The issue is also likely to come up for discussion in the upcoming Dasara High Level Committee meeting.
“Chamundi Hill has its own financial resources and has sufficient income. However, it is not possible to make an independent decision to undertake any work. Everything needs to be discussed at the Government level. To avoid this, it is my insistence that an independent existence should be created through the authority,” added G. T. Devegowda.
“Conservation can be given attention along with development. At the hills, there was a landslide on the Nandi Marg Road. Even though many months have passed, no action has been taken to repair it. The development work was launched recently. Such delays can be avoided if the authority is formed. A decision can be taken at the meeting of the authority itself. Along with government representatives, local environment lovers and leaders of organisations should also be included in the authority. This gives it an independent existence. It will help to respond immediately when there is damage,” he said.
“The hill is not meant to be developed as a tourist destination. Thousands of devotees visit shrine daily. Therefore, to keep it as a religious place, the authority needs to discuss and take action on a regular basis,” he added.
