After bifurcation Ballary set to lose UNESCO heritage site Hampi

Bengaluru: With the Karnataka cabinet formalising the formation of the 31st district - Vijayanagara - carving it out from the existing Ballary district, the latter is set to lose several prestigious symbols associated with the district since 1953.

Most importantly, the new Ballari district will no longer be on the world map of tourism as the Unesco World Heritage site Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, will be part of Vijaynagara, the new district.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, Karnataka's signature cultural heritage site situated on the bank of river Tungabhadra that attracts thousands of history and culture enthusiasts from across the globe every year, will soon be part of Vijayanagara district.

Besides, Hampi, Ballari will also lose the Tungabhadra reservoir, one of the major irrigation projects and tourist destinations in the state. Ballary will also lose many prominent educational institutions, as Hospet has long been an education hub not only for the undivided district but also neighbouring districts like Koppal and part of Raichuru districts. Hampi Kannada University, history department head, N. Chinnaswamy Sosale told IANS that the bifurcation of big districts was in a way a very good decision as it helps many administratively.

"For a person living in Hagari Bommanahalli it was too cumbersome to even get his simple government certificates. It would have taken a day long as it was more than 120 kms away district headquarters (Ballary) but the new district will help him to reach Hospet in just two hours," he said.

According to him, bifurcation of anything brings sadness too. "Ballary will not lose out much except the Hampi, rest of the things will remain the same. Even earlier too, those who were well off were sending their wards to schools in Hospet and that won't change much," he said. The Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti President Hirigeri Pannaraj told IANS that Ballary district has its own rich history of fighting for the united Karnataka movement in 1953.

"It is the people of Ballary who ignited the spark of uniting Karnataka under the unification of Karnataka movement. Since then, all 11 taluks had remained intact with the district. Ballary is not just a place it is historic. Despite the best efforts by then undivided Andhra Pradesh, Ballary people steadfastly fought and remained with Karnataka.