State of Conservation (SOC)

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At the time of the examination of the Nomination File for the inscription of Champaner on the World Heritage List, in 2004, ICOMOS had recommended that the nomination be deferred to allow the State Party to provide a proper Management Plan and comprehensive planning which would integrate management of the 39 individual components of the property managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, and which would clarify a statement of Outstanding Universal Value to be applied to the entire property.  Although the Committee eventually inscribed the property on the basis of information provided by the State Party, it also requested the State Party to monitor the implementation of the Management Plan study already carried out. 

The World Heritage Centre received a report from the State Party on 29 January 2005 on the operational status of management mechanisms, referring to various actions taken for the improvement of information and resource management, community awareness-raising and visitor management.  The actions include: the initiation of the digital documentation of protected monuments; the establishment of a work-plan for the regular maintenance of the property, comprising removal of encroaching vegetation and re-patching of masonry; the holding of celebrations on the occasion of the “World Heritage Week”, involving students and local community; and the execution of facilities for visitors such as toilets, access ramps for the handicapped and the recruitment of tourist guides.  During a national seminar on management of World Heritage Cultural properties, held in New Delhi on 27 and 28 January 2005, the State Government of Gujarat (i.e.  the Institution responsible for managing the area), informed the participants that it was going to “provide proper access to the Kalika Mandir on the top of the hill, and provide … the infrastructure for large numbers of religious pilgrims visiting the site”.  The report mentioned also the decision of the State Party to set up a Task Force to meet under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of the Government of Gujarat in order to review the progress made in Champaner.

Although the efforts made by the State Party to improve the conservation of the property are highly commendable, an integrated and functioning management framework for the property, built around the Statement of Outstanding Universal value recognized at the time of inscription, does not appear to be yet in place.  In the current condition, the property will continue to suffer from ad hoc decisions which might have a negative impact on the heritage values of the property. 

ICOMOS suggests that, building on the Management Plan study already carried out, efforts should be directed towards the establishment of a site management entity with full management authority for decision-making on property, answerable to the Archaeological Survey of India, and provided with all the necessary financial support and expertise.