Hill Forts of Rajasthan

• Vulnerabilities of certain individual structures within the forts requiring short-term conservation actions (Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh Forts)
• Interpretation strategy for the overall ensembles of palaces, temples and fortifications
• Urban development and industrial mining activities in wider setting of Chittorgarh Fort

On 2 February 2016, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/247/documents, and provides information on the actions undertaken to implement the decisions adopted by the Committee at its 39th session:

• Management Plan for Jaisalmer Fort: The draft recommendations of the Management Plan for Jaisalmer Fort are currently being circulated among the stakeholders. A one-day workshop in February/March 2016 to be held at Jaipur shall provide the necessary input from all stakeholders in order to complete this process by early to mid 2016. Until then the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Remains Act 1958 (amended 2010) and the Rajasthan Municipal Corporation Act 2008 form the basis of all conservation and monitoring activities.
• Jaisalmer Fort: The infrastructure development project, initiated in 2013, foresees the laying of underground pipe-lines for water supply and removal of waste, as well as providing electricity and conduits for cables. It has reached near completion. Unauthorized/illegal constructions within the Fort have been halted and violations are being legally pursued. Local residents are being made aware of the importance of the property through a dialogue initiated by the team preparing the Management Plan.
• Chittorgarth Fort: The control of mining around Chittorgarth is currently being examined by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The interim Order passed in July 2013 foresees no mining within 1km zone and permits only manual limestone and shale quarrying within the 2km zone. Heavy mining machinery is only permitted beyond the 2km zone, while blasting is strictly prohibited. No further information is available until the final verdict has been passed.
• Kumbhalgarh Fort: The stabilization and restoration of structures at Kumbhalgarth Fort was detailed in the nomination dossier and has been an ongoing endeavor. The State Party assures that the Fort is in a good state of conservation.

While the State Party’s commitment to completing the Management Plan for Jaisalmer Fort is noted, only slow progress has been made. No further details about the content of the Management Plan for Jaisalmer Fort, along with sub-plans for visitor management, risk preparedness and livelihood generation for the local population, have been provided. Jaisalmer Fort is facing particular pressure as a living heritage and although assurances have been provided that unauthorized and illegal constructions are being actively prohibited and pursued, the lack of a Management Plan and guidelines for residents remains a threat to the property. The initiative by the Management Plan drafting team to commence a dialogue with residents on issues pertaining to conservation and repair is noteworthy and merits being further developed. It is recommended that the Committee reiterate the importance attached to the completion of the Management Plan for Jaisalmer Fort and its sub-plans and request the State Party expedite its completion and to submit the final draft to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, prior to its adoption. Further noted is the information on the near completion of the major infrastructure works at Jaisalmer. 

As for mining activities in the setting of Chittorgargh Fort, from the information provided by the State Party, it is not possible to conclude whether the mining activity has been subject to an Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and the technical report on the impact of mining, which was reportedly provided to the Hon’ble Supreme Court in 2015, has to date not been provided to the World Heritage Centre. However, should the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India decide to permit further mining, this could have an adverse impact on the setting of the property..Therefore, it is also recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide all available studies to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies.

Finally, it is regrettable that the State Party has not provided up-to-date information, other than the reference to the documents provided with the nomination dossier, on stabilization and restoration of structures at Kumbhalgarth Fort.