Golf and the new ruins of Golconda

Irreparable damage is being caused to heritage monuments like the Golconda Fort due to the construction of Golf Course in their vicinity.

Hyderabad acquired national and global importance due to its rich heritage and monuments such as the Golconda Fort, the Charminar and many more. The city attracts thousands of tourists because of these ancient and majestic structures. The State Government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are supposed to be the custodians of these monuments, entrusted with their upkeep.

However, the heritage monuments are being irreparably damaged with the full knowledge of these custodians by the activities of the elite Hyderabad Golf Association, which has created the Hyderabad Golf Club in association with Telangana Tourism Development Corporation. In the construction of the Golf course, the Golf Club has damaged heritage monuments, religious places, pathways and old structures.  Certain monuments were destroyed or defaced. Idols at religious places were displaced or removed. Pathways to the monuments were closed. Old structures were concealed. Motes around the Golconda Fort are being filled. Contours are being completely changed. Grounds thus cleared are converted to Golf Course. All this destructive activity typically takes place only during nights.

All this activity is going on in clear violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958, which prohibits such activities in the vicinities of ancient monuments. Such gross violation can only happen when the members of the Golf Association, ASI officials and the State Government work hand in glove. Even the fact that the Tourism Department earns considerable revenue through these monuments does not motivate the government to protect them.

Further, the promoters of the Golf Club are also resorting to contempt of court by violating the direction of the High Court that only grassing was permitted without any change in the contours. They are constructing the golf tees near the monuments in violation of this direction.

News papers like the Hindu and the Times of India have extensively covered the wanton damage to the monuments.

We strongly feel that the public has a right to its heritage monuments and any activity for the amusement of a few must not erase this right.

The High Court should intervene in this matter and help protect the image of the historical city of Hyderabad on the international heritage map.

A CBI enquiry should be ordered into the possible corruption among ASI and State Government officials that has emboldened the destroyers of heritage monuments.