Karnataka Plans Heritage and Cultural Foundation to Conserve Nearly 1 Lakh Sites, Promote State’s Culture Globally
Bengaluru, September 1: The Karnataka Tourism Department has proposed setting up the Karnataka Heritage and Cultural Foundation (KHCF) to create a long-term mechanism for conserving the state’s historical monuments, archaeological sites, museums and other cultural assets while promoting Karnataka’s art and heritage in India and abroad.
The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage has prepared the proposal, which will shortly be placed before the State Cabinet, Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George said.
The proposed foundation is intended to build on the response to the state’s ‘Adopt a Monument’ initiative by creating a structured platform through which the government, corporate sector, Non-Resident Indians and the public can participate in conservation, restoration and infrastructure development at heritage sites.
According to the department, a survey across 239 taluks in Karnataka has identified nearly one lakh historical monuments and archaeological sites. George said the scale and diversity of the state’s heritage required a sustainable, long-term financial mechanism for conservation.
Under the proposal, the foundation will seek Corporate Social Responsibility contributions, donations from NRIs and contributions from the public through a transparent mechanism. Donors will be able to support the conservation and infrastructure development of specific monuments, archaeological sites or museums in which they are interested.
The foundation’s mandate is also proposed to extend beyond physical conservation. It is envisaged as a platform to showcase Karnataka’s art, literature, architecture, folk traditions and cultural heritage nationally and internationally.
The government is considering encouraging Kannadigas living around the world to support conservation of monuments of their choice and participate in cultural programmes, exchange initiatives and promotional activities. The initiative seeks to encourage the global Kannadiga community to serve as cultural ambassadors for Karnataka.
The proposed foundation will also develop programmes aimed at enabling younger generations to engage directly with historical monuments, art and local traditions rather than learning about the state’s heritage only through textbooks.
George said systems had been put in place to ensure transparency and accountability in financial management, accounting, auditing and implementation of projects under the proposed framework.
“Karnataka’s monuments are not merely stones and structures; they are living witnesses to our history, art and identity,” George said, adding that conservation should be accompanied by efforts to take the state’s cultural heritage to a global audience.
He said the foundation was intended to create a model bringing together CSR organisations, NRIs, the global Kannadiga community and the public to support the government’s heritage conservation efforts, with the objective of passing the state’s heritage to future generations with a sense of pride.
Tourism Department Secretary Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar said the number and diversity of historical monuments across Karnataka made it necessary to create long-term resources for conservation through shared responsibility between the government and society.
He said KHCF was envisaged as a structured mechanism allowing donors to directly support heritage sites of their interest while maintaining clear and transparent systems for financial management and project implementation.
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