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State of Conservation (SOC)

Group of Monuments at Hampi

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from2001-2003)
Total Amount Ap proved: 92,370USD

2003 Emergency assistance to elaborate a management plan for Hampi ...   75,000  USD
2001 Study trip of Indian site management authorities of Hampi W H ...   17,370  USD
Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Lack of management mechanism (including legislation), Lack of institution co-ordination.

Additional Details:

Rural development pressure 

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

According to the Progress Report submitted to the Secretariat by the State Party on 8 April 2004, the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority Act (2002) was adopted by the State Legislature of the Karnataka Government, and its implementation should now be ensured towards prevention of uncontrolled urbanization in the World Heritage protected area.

 

The State Government of Karnataka has initiated the process of acquisition of land for the construction of the by-pass road, and the work is progressing rapidly. In a meeting on 3 March 2004, the State Government of Karnataka decided to first construct the by-pass road and only thereafter to take up the construction of the remaining portions of the Anegondi Bridge. The Public Works Department was directed to strictly adhere to the recommendations of the UNESCO Mission in May 2003 with regard to the location, transversal sections, longitudinal sections, cross sections of the by-pass road. The two pylons of the suspended Hampi footbridge have been demolished as per the recommendations of the UNESCO Mission.

 

The UNESCO Mission of 2003 had highlighted the importance of preparing a site management plan which would cover several key issues such as redefinition of the boundaries of the protected area, elaboration of mapping and urban development challenges. The Hampi Development Authority entrusted the preparation of the management plan to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage who completed the Hampi Management Plan. This plan is being examined by the Central Government (Archaeological Survey of India) and will then be submitted to the Secretariat for review and comments.

 

The Secretariat received information by the concerned local individuals that unauthorized constructions (i.e. huge shopping complex in the core zone) are taking place in and around the property which require immediate guidelines and provisions for issuing building licenses. Furthermore, it is reported that local habitants are in need of development of civic and hygienic conditions in the surrounding area, instead of investments for commercial and other activities that do not benefit the locals. There is also a need for better coordination between the State Government and the Central Government of India.

 

At the 27th session of the Committee in 2003, a total amount of US $75,000 was approved as Emergency Assistance, for the elaboration of a comprehensive management plan for this property. Within the framework of this Emergency Assistance from the World Heritage Fund, a Stakeholders Workshop was foreseen in January 2004 in order to meet the integrated needs of the region by establishing a better management mechanism (including legislation), institutional coordination and effective measures against rural development pressure. However, the Workshop had to be postponed and it is due to be convened in early June 2004. 

Analysis and Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

28COM15A.24
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Commends the State Party for its decisions to postpone the completion of the vehicular bridge until the by-pass road is constructed, and to consider the vehicular bridge to be temporary, pending the identification of a long-term solution within the comprehensive site management plan Hampi management plan, as well as for implementing other recommendations of the UNESCO Mission of 2003;

2. Stresses its concern for the need of local community participation in the decision making process for the conservation and management of the property, and its involvements concerning local development;

3. Invites the State Party to strengthen efforts to enhance better coordination and dialogue among different national and local stakeholders;

4. Encourages the State Party to finalize the comprehensive site management plan, as soon as possible, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS and ICCROM) and with other national and local stakeholders;

5. Recommends the State Party to establish a technical unit with appropriate capacity to support the Hampi World Heritage Management Authority, to ensure building control and community advisory services for conservation;

6. Requests the State Party to submit to the Secretariat by 1 February 2005, a progress report on the state of conservation of the property, notably on issues concerning the construction of the by-pass road and the bridges, for examination by the Committee at its 29th session in 2005;

7. Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

28COM15C.2
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Following examination of state of conservation reports of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-04/28.COM/15A Rev),

2. Decides to maintain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:

  • Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, Afghanistan (Decision 28 COM 15A.21)
  • Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan (Decision 28 COM 15A.22)
  • Butrint, Albania (Decision 28 COM 15A.28)
  • Tipasa, Algeria (Decision 28 COM 15A.16)
  • Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower, Azerbaijan (Decision 28 COM 15A.29)
  • Royal Palaces of Abomey, Benin (Decision 28 COM 15A.14)
  • Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park, Central African Republic (Decision 28 COM 15A.1)
  • Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire (Decision 28 COM 15A.2 )
  • Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Côte d'Ivoire/Guinea (Decision 28 COM 15A.5)
  • Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic Rep. of the Congo (Decision 28 COM 15A.3)
  • Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Rep. of the Congo (Decision 28 COM 15A.3)
  • Virunga National Park, Democratic Rep. of the Congo (Decision 28 COM 15A.3)
  • Garamba National Park, Democratic Rep. of the Congo (Decision 28 COM 15A.3)
  • Salonga National Park, Democratic Rep. of the Congo (Decision 28 COM 15A.3)
  • Sangay National Park, Ecuador (Decision 28 COM 15A.12)
  • Abu Mena, Egypt (Decision 28 COM 15A.17)
  • Simien National Park, Ethiopia
  • (Decision 28 COM 15A.4)
  • Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras (Decision 28 COM 15A.13)
  • Group of Monuments at Hampi, India (Decision 28 COM 15A.24)
  • Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, India (Decision 28 COM 15A.10)
  • Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat), Iraq (Decision 28 COM 15A.18)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, Jerusalem (Decision 28 COM 15A.31)
  • Timbuktu, Mali (Decision 28 COM 15A. 15)
  • Kathmandu Valley, Nepal (Decision 28 COM 15A.25)
  • Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves, Niger (Decision 28 COM 15A.6)
  • Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, Pakistan (Decision 28 COM 15A.26)
  • Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone, Peru (Decision 28 COM 15A.30)
  • Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Philippines (Decision 28 COM 15A.27)
  • Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Senegal (Decision 28 COM 15A.7 )
  • Ichkeul National Park, Tunisia (Decision 28 COM 15A.9)
  • Everglades National Park, United States of America (Decision 28 COM 15A.11)
  • Historic Town of Zabid, Yemen (Decision 28 COM 15A.20)

Draft Decision:28 COM 15A.24

 The World Heritage Committee,

 1.     Commends the State Party for its decisions to postpone the completion of the vehicular bridge until the by-pass road is constructed, and to consider the vehicular bridge to be temporary, pending the identification of a long-term solution within the Hampi management plan, as well as for implementing other recommendations of the UNESCO Mission of 2003;

 2.     Stresses its concern for the need of local community participation in the decision making process for the conservation and management of the property, and its involvements concerning local development;

 3.     Invites the State Party to strengthen efforts to enhance better coordination and dialogue among different national and local stakeholders;

 4.     Urges the State Party to elaborate the comprehensive Management Plan, as soon as possible, in consultation with the Secretariat and the Advisory Bodies;

 5.     Recommends the State Party to establish a technical unit with appropriate capacity to support the Hampi World Heritage Management Authority, to ensure building control and community advisory services for conservation;

6.     Requests the State Party to submit to the Secretariat by 1 February 2005, a progress report on the state of conservation of the property, notably on issues concerning the construction of the by-pass road and the bridges, for examination by the Committee at its 29th session in 2005;

7.     Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Group of Monuments at Hampi
 India
Date of Inscription: 1986
Nomination records (Year): 1982, 2012
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iii)(iv)
Danger List: Yes
View inscribed site web page
Documents, nomination, reports, decisions...
Read the SOUV
Documents
WHC-04/28.COM/15A.Rev
Exports
Word File
SOC model
Threats*
  • Commercial development
  • Ground transport infrastructure
  • Housing
  • Legal framework
  • Management systems/ management plan
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1999 -2006
Threats to the Site:

The inclusion of the Groups of Monuments at Hampi on the List of World Heritage in Danger was prompted by the construction of two suspension bridges which dominate the natural environment and threaten the World Heritage site's integrity. The construction of a road towards one of the bridges will result in a major increase in heavy goods traffic and has already resulted in the dismantling and reconstruction of an important historic monument - a mandapa (a pillared stone rest-house) within the borders of the site. This dislocation signifies serious problems in the implementation of cultural heritage policies and regulations.


* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.