<p>Addressing a press conference in Bangalore after meeting the British Deputy High Commissioner Richard Hyde, Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar said the commission would help the State adopt green building concepts in government and traditional buildings in Mysore.<br /><br />The green initiatives include saving energy through adoption of solar systems, adoption of rainwater harvesting, minimising use of air-conditioners in government and private buildings, Suresh Kumar, who is also the District In Charge Minister for Mysore, said.<br />Expertise in this regard will be provided by the the UK Department for International Development to the Mysore City Corporation. Measures to reduce carbon emission would also be implemented.<br /><br />The mode of collaboration and whether there would be any financial component is yet to be worked out, he said.<br /><br />Suresh Kumar said a detailed blue print of the project would be finalised after discussion with the deputy commissioner and other district officials.<br /><br />Revival of Mysore Tonga<br /><br />The government also proposed to revive the famous Mysore Tonga (horse-drawn carts) by Dasara this year.<br /><br />Mysore Tonga, one of the heritage symbols of the city, has been struggling to make its presence felt due to competition from autorickshaws and cabs.<br /><br />The minister said the government was keen to revive tongas as the principal mode of transport around a two km radius at heritage sites like the Mysore Palace. There is also a proposal to declare a few pockets as chariot zones. However, a final decision is yet to be taken, he said. <br /><br />Horse chariots are being used at heritage places in New York and Paris, he pointed out.</p>
<p>Addressing a press conference in Bangalore after meeting the British Deputy High Commissioner Richard Hyde, Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar said the commission would help the State adopt green building concepts in government and traditional buildings in Mysore.<br /><br />The green initiatives include saving energy through adoption of solar systems, adoption of rainwater harvesting, minimising use of air-conditioners in government and private buildings, Suresh Kumar, who is also the District In Charge Minister for Mysore, said.<br />Expertise in this regard will be provided by the the UK Department for International Development to the Mysore City Corporation. Measures to reduce carbon emission would also be implemented.<br /><br />The mode of collaboration and whether there would be any financial component is yet to be worked out, he said.<br /><br />Suresh Kumar said a detailed blue print of the project would be finalised after discussion with the deputy commissioner and other district officials.<br /><br />Revival of Mysore Tonga<br /><br />The government also proposed to revive the famous Mysore Tonga (horse-drawn carts) by Dasara this year.<br /><br />Mysore Tonga, one of the heritage symbols of the city, has been struggling to make its presence felt due to competition from autorickshaws and cabs.<br /><br />The minister said the government was keen to revive tongas as the principal mode of transport around a two km radius at heritage sites like the Mysore Palace. There is also a proposal to declare a few pockets as chariot zones. However, a final decision is yet to be taken, he said. <br /><br />Horse chariots are being used at heritage places in New York and Paris, he pointed out.</p>
