Vijayapura heritage sites face conservation concerns despite tourism celebrations

In Vijayapura, a district-level photography exhibition was held at the historical Ibrahim Rauza complex to mark World Tourism Day. The event, organized by the district administration, tourism department, NTPC, KSTDC, and the Vijayapura District New Photographers Association, showcased the architectural beauty of the city's monuments. Local officials noted that such artistic efforts help increase tourist interest in the region's heritage sites.

Despite these cultural efforts, local residents and historians have raised concerns regarding the neglect of Vijayapura's more than 100 historical monuments, including Gol Gumbaz. There are ongoing demands to relocate the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regional office from Dharwad to Vijayapura to ensure more efficient maintenance and timely conservation. Critics argue that the current distance causes delays in essential repairs, leading to the deterioration of heritage sites. Additionally, there are calls for improved tourism infrastructure, such as better transportation, drinking water, sanitation, and official information centers, to support the influx of international and domestic visitors.