PRASHAD Works Atop Chamundi Hill: ‘Let Hill Remain A Hill, Not A Concrete Mass’ Protest walk seeks a full-fledged Environmental Impact Assessment ( SOM Feb 1 2026) Mysore/Mysuru: In the second major campaign against further development works atop Chamundi Hill, aimed at safeguarding its heritage and fragile environment, hundreds of Mysureans — children, youth and the elderly — climbed the thousand steps of the Hill this morning, urging the preservation of its religious, spiritual and cultural significance. The protest walk, organised by ‘Parisarakkagi Naavu’ and various other organisations against the ongoing construction works under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), highlighted concerns over environmental degradation.
Environmentalists, progressive thinkers and schoolchildren participated, underscoring the Hill’s ecological and cultural significance. Students carried placards reading “Development should not bury the environment,” “We need eco-friendly progress, not destructive growth,” and “No to turning the Hill into a concrete jungle.” Participants warned that excessive construction could trigger landslides and cause irreversible damage to the sacred Hill. Addressing the gathering, Member of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, said protecting Chamundi Hill was a collective responsibility. “For the past 30 years, our family has personally worked to safeguard the Hill. Now the public has joined us. Our common goal is to ensure that Chamundi remains a Hill, not a concrete mass,” she said. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar clarified that while basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets and facilities for senior citizens were welcome, large-scale construction near the temple was unnecessary and disruptive. She cautioned that the ongoing
works could obstruct the annual Rathotsava and inconvenience devotees. Permanently altering works “On one side, we have approached the Court. On the other hand, we have appealed to Goddess Chamundeshwari herself. We have brought the issue to the Government’s notice, but in the absence of a response, we are fighting this legally. Ultimately, it is Chamundeshwari who must inspire the Government to stop the works,” Pramoda Devi said.
Concerns were also raised about the long-term impact of the construction. Citizens said the proposed works did not appear temporary and could permanently alter the Hill. Large-scale construction not needed References were made to past incidents, including the collapse of the Nandi Statue road, which took four years to repair and damage to the Rajendra Vilas Palace during earlier park-related works. Participants maintained that Chamundi Hill already has sufficient structures and that only essential facilities, such as a health centre, should be added. They demanded that a full-fledged Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be conducted.
Drawing a parallel with Easter Island, environmentalist and Founder-President of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) Bhamy V. Shenoy warned of the dangers of unchecked concretisation. “Around 1700, Easter Island was green and thriving. Due to neglect, it became uninhabitable within decades. We are facing a similar threat if we do not urgently stop and reverse concretisation,” he opined. It may be recalled that a large number of people, including environmental activists, members of citizen groups, NGOs and the public, participated in the first Save Chamundi Hill campaign held on Jan. 4. Today’s walk saw participation from Melukote MLA Darshan Puttannaiah, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) S.G. Vombatkere, historians Prof. N.S. Rangaraju and Dharmendra Kumar, Parashuramegowda of Parisarakkagi Naavu and representatives of several organisations. ‘I belong to the people, not to any party’ I am not a member of any political party. I was invited to support today’s programme and I took part. My husband, late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, was with the Congress and my son, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, is with the BJP. However, I do not belong to either party. I stand with the people. Please do not associate me with any political group. See me only as standing with the citizens. —Pramoda Devi Wadiyar
Protest against PRASHAD works on Chamundi hills gains momentum The campaign to save Chamundi Hills and oppose development works that threaten its heritage and fragile ecosystem intensified on February 1, with hundreds of people participating in a protest walk up the hill steps. Organised under the banner ‘Parisarakkagi Naavu’, the walk aimed to oppose development works being undertaken under the PRASHAD scheme and to protect the sanctity of the hills, which activists say have witnessed unabated construction and commercial activity over the years. The protest drew participation from NGOs, citizen groups, environmental activists, students, and progressive thinkers. This was the second such walk organised, following a similar protest last month that also evoked a strong public response. The campaign received support from Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family, who addressed the gathering at the foothills and expressed her solidarity with the cause of safeguarding Chamundi Hills. Prominent activists who took part in the walk included Bhamy V. Shenoy and Maj. Gen. (retd) S.G. Vombatkere from Mysore
Grahakara Parishat, heritage expert N.S. Rangaraju, activist Dharmendra Kumar, and Parasurame Gowda of Parisarakkagi Naavu, besides representatives of various organisations. In her address, Ms. Wadiyar reiterated the need to protect the hills for future generations. Opposing construction activities on the hills and demanding an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Mr. Shenoy said, “Around 1700, Easter Island was a green island with beautiful trees. Because people failed to preserve them, it became uninhabitable, and the population fell from 15,000 to less than 1,000 within a few decades. Environmentalists often cite Easter Island to show what happens when nature is ignored. Unfortunately, we will face a similar disaster if we fail to stop and urgently reverse concretisation.” Students carried placards supporting protection of the environment and warning against the loss of the hill’s heritage and spiritual value owing to excessive development, cautioning that Chamundi Hills could turn into a “concrete jungle”. Expressing serious concern over ongoing construction works, participants warned of the risk of landslides and irreversible damage to the hill ecosystem. Some also cautioned against the long-term impact of the developments, citing the collapse of the Nandi statue road, which took years for authorities to repair. Parisarakkagi Naavu representatives suggested that funds sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme could instead be utilised for developing parking facilities at the foothills, introducing zero-emission buses to the hilltop, and improving drainage maintenance and solid waste management.