BANGALORE: The Government would request the authorities concerned to accord World Heritage Site status to the historical city of Bijapur in the North Karnataka region, Minister for Tourism and Textiles B. Sriramulu told the Legislative Council on Thursday.

Replying to a question by Prakash K. Rathod (Congress), the Minister said the Government had considered including Bijapur along with Hampi and Pattadakal in the recommendation for World Heritage Site status. But Bijapur could not be included because unauthorised occupants had to be evicted and illegal structures demolished in the vicinity of the famous Adil Shahi monuments, which reflected the Mughal lifestyle and architectural excellence, to fulfil the basic conditions set by the international authorities concerned The Government was now determined to take up the issue on priority, he added. Intervening in the discussion, senior Congress member B.K. Chandrashekar said it was sad that successive Tourism Ministers had not taken the issue seriously. They made little effort to understand the historical significance and tourist potential of many historical sites in the State. The pathetic condition of Srirangapatna, which witnessed the first revolt against colonial rule in the country, was a case in point, he said.

`Can do wonders'

While suggesting that the Government could do wonders by developing the many historical site under its tourism packages, Prof. Chandrashekar took a dig at the Government by stating that it could certainly do wonders as it was in itself the "eighth wonder of the world."

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