Chamundi Hills set for Rs 100 crore PRASAD facelift

MYSURU: The Centre has picked Chamundi Hills under its pilgrimage rejuvenation scheme to ensure its development as a spiritual destination while maintaining its ecological richness. The Chamundeshwari temple atop the hill draws thousands of devotees from across India. Under the scheme, Rs 100 crore will be allocated for its development.
Outlining the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), deputy commissioner Abhiram G Sankar said not much construction work will be allowed in the hills; the focus will be on geographical stability, maintenance of ecology and sustainable developmental activities, beside unique events, concepts and the projects. The decision was communicated by the Union tourism ministry in October 2018.

"It is an open-ended scheme," Sankar told TOI . "The Union tourism ministry has short-listed the consultancy. We held a meeting with the consultancy over the projects that can be taken up on the hills. Dedicated tourism centres will come up in the foothills while importance will be given to theme-based activities. We want to ensure that minimum construction work will be carried out on the hills to retain its beauty."

The tourism department authorities are in touch with the consultancy on the projects to be implemented through the scheme. "It is a heavy-budget scheme," the DC said.

The 4,000-hectare reserve forest is home to 442 species of flowering plants and has reported 139 bird species. At an average elevation of 1,065 metre above sea level, and 800m above the city, the hills are also known for rare species of butterflies. Several medicinal herbs are also found here. Environmentalists have raised alarm on illegal quarrying in the hills and opposed the government's plans for development involving heavy construction.

Sources in the Union tourism ministry said under PRASAD, 41 religious cities/sites in 25 states have been identified for development. "Chamundi Hills is an iconic temple and tourism spot. We hope the project protects the natural beauty of the hills while making it a top tourist attraction," said an official.

Devotees want the district administration and tourism department to ensure that the scheme is utilised to make Chamundi Hills a sacred ecological hotspot.

"The ongoing construction work is deforming the hills. We want the natural beauty of the hills to be conserved," said Ramamurthy Rao, a resident of Sharadadevi Nagar.

Among the sites chosen for PRASAD are Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh); Gaya (Bihar), Dwaraka (Gujarat), Amritsar, Ajmer, Kanchipuram, Vellankani, Puri, Varanasi and Mathura.