Telangana govt. puts focus back on Ramappa temple development
Hyderabad: Developmental works around Ramappa temple that are to be completed as per the guidelines of UNESCO, which declared the temple as a World Heritage Site, are expected to pick up pace soon.
Among the activities on which the government is focusing include construction of a boundary wall around the temple, declaration of Palampet special area development authority named after the nearest village to the temple, and taking up and completing heritage impact assessments for any projects near the World Heritage Site, particularly near Ramappa lake.
During a review with officials on Wednesday on the progress of these, and other works and requirements as laid down by UNESCO when it granted the special status to the temple, minister in-charge for Mulugu district, Danasari Anasuya ‘Seethakka’ said officials should ensure that all guidelines are complied with and the deadline is met.
“The Ramappa temple is a site of great importance and is representative of our heritage. It is our responsibility that its greatness is preserved and becomes known all over the world,” the minister said.
Seethakka, however, made it clear that though plans for the development of the site will take into account creation of new facilities for tourists, no new undertaking will be permitted in violation of the guidelines. She called on officials to be particularly careful with respect to development plans around Ramappa lake. Also on the anvil are plans to build a five star hotel to cater to international tourists visiting the temple, which would be included in a tourism circuit that will also feature the Bogatha waterfall, Laknavaram lake and Sammakka Saralamma temple, among other places.
It is learnt that the meeting also discussed the pending proposal for starting work on an open cast coal mine near Ramappa temple by Singareni Collieries company limited (SCCL). It was decided that SCCL would be engaged in discussions on the subject and stop it from going ahead with its plans.
“Open cast mining not very far from the temple would be detrimental to the site and the heritage status,” an official said.
The review meeting held at the Secretariat was attended by officials from tourism, heritage, revenue and other related departments.