Locals to seek Prez, PM, UNESCO help to save Hampi

Residents allege that ASI has turned monuments into garbage dumping yards

- KIRAN BALANNANAVAR @Hampi/Hosapete

UPSET with the lack of maintenance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), some tourists and residents of Hampi, a World Heritage Site, have decided to write letters to the President of India, Prime Minister and the UNESCO, demanding their intervention.

The locals complain that the negligence by the ASI has turned some monuments, including the famous Virupaksha Temple premises, into a garbage dumping yard. Weeds, used plastic and other waste materials can be seen around Salu Mantap.

ASI receives a lot of funds to maintain the monuments but it has allegedly failed to keep many areas clean, angering many tourists, including foreigners.