Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana

• provide effective management and adequate protection through the finalization of the integrated conservation and management plan and the constitution and functioning of “Palampet Special Area Development Authority”

N/A

On 1 December 2022, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1570/documents/ and addresses recommendations made at the time of the inscription of the property in 2021 (Decision 44 COM 8B.12), as follows:

• The State Party considers that no modification to the boundaries of the property is needed, based on a study of the built structures and natural features in the buffer zone and wider setting of the property (included as an Annex to the report);
• The first part of the comparative study of other Kakatiya temples has been completed;
• A detailed project report for the tourism development master plan for the property and surrounding region has been prepared;
• The Palampet Special Area Development Authority has been constituted and made responsible for planning and regulating the area around the property;
• A schedule and overall approach for the reassembly and conservation of Kameshwara Temple following the principle of anastylosis has been prepared;
• Two capacity-building initiatives for local communities were implemented;
• Meetings in view of expanding the conservation approach to cover all amenities at smaller temples were conducted by the State Party.

The efforts undertaken by the State Party to respond to the Committee’s recommendations are acknowledged. However, some of the critical recommendations remain insufficiently addressed. The State Party considers that modifications of the property’s boundaries and buffer zone are not required. This position is justified on the basis that the Gollalagudi and Shivalayam temples are already within the 100 meters prohibited area, which is part of the buffer zone. These two temples are among the built structures and natural features identified in the study submitted by the State Party in the annexes of the report.

The Committee’s recommendation to modify the boundaries of the property was related to the integrity of the property, which could not be considered complete without other elements of the wider temple context. Therefore, it is recommended that the Committee reiterate its request for the State Party to submit a boundary modification of the property.

The State Party has submitted the first part of the comparative study of Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple and other Kakatiya temples, in the national and regional contexts. It is noted that the second part, comprising other places at the international level, will be done in 2023-24.

In its report, the State Party states that the Integrated Conservation Management Plan has been finalised. However, what has been submitted is a document entitled Tourism Development Master Plan for Region of Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple. While it is noted that this Plan includes provisions on risk preparedness and visitor management, as recommended by the Committee, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to submit the finalised Integrated Conservation Management Plan.

The establishment of the Palampet Special Area Development Authority is noted, and it is recommended that the role and responsibilities of this body be further clarified in relation to the overall governance arrangements of the property and the roles of other institutions responsible for the management of the property and its buffer zone, particularly in view of the requested boundary modification. The Palampet Special Area Development Authority has been made responsible for undertaking Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs). Considering some of the graphic information submitted as part of the Tourism Development Master Plan, it is recommended that impact assessments be undertaken as a pre-requisite for development projects and activities that are planned for implementation within or around the property, including in the wider setting, in line with Paragraph 118bis of the Operational Guidelines, and be conducted in line with the new Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context. The Committee may also remind the State Party of its obligation to submit prior notifications of major projects that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.

Regarding the reassembly and conservation of Kameshwara Temple, the State Party has submitted a schedule and overall approach, as recommended by the Committee. Works are expected to be completed by June 2025. The State Party’s efforts to provide capacity building for members of the local communities are appreciated. However, it is recommended that the State Party give further consideration to the involvement of local communities, particularly religious communities, in the governance and management arrangements for the property and its buffer zone.