Kannada Prabha daily newspaper and Asianet Suvarna News channel collaborated with the Karnataka Tourism Department to undertake the mega project of identifying and promoting the ‘Seven Wonders of Karnataka’.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced the ‘Seven Wonders of Karnataka’ on 25th February, which represent the best of the state’s land and water, forest and sea, faith and science, architecture and sculpture, and history and heritage.
In the ceremonial event, the chosen wonders were awarded a state certificate, which was received by the respective district commissioners who are expected to submit a blueprint development report to upgrade the facilities at these places.
The list of sites included in the wonders are Hirebenakal Rock Tombs, Hampi, Gomateshwara, Gol Gumbaz, Mysore Palace, Jog Falls, and Netrani Island.
The jury that chose the Seven Wonders of Karnataka included VC and social evangelist in the startup cosystem Prashanth Prakash; Three-time Grammy-winning musician, Global Goodwill Ambassador and environment activist Ricky Kej; Director of films like Wild Karnataka and Gandhada Gudi, wildlife photographer Amoghavarsha; President of the Karnataka Itihasa Academy, renowned prehistory and history expert Dr. Devarakonda Reddy; world-renowned speed painter and young world traveler Vilas Nayak; Managing Director of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation and Joint Secretary to the chief minister G Jagadeesha; and Editor-in-Chief of Kannada Prabha and Asianet Suvarna News Ravi Hegde.
Anand Singh, Tourism Minister-Karnataka, said, “Since I have taken the state tourism office, a number of development programmes have been initiated in tourism hotspots. Still, there is much more to do. The project of the Seven Wonders of Karnataka should be eternally kept alive. But, the legislative assembly elections are upon us shortly. It is the nature of politics for parties to change and power to shift hands.There should be a commitment to continue protecting and promoting important tourism centers. In this, public cooperation is most important. It doesn’t matter who is in power, the district commissioners and tourism department officials should undertake the responsibility unfailingly.”
