Group of Monuments at Hampi

a) Infrastructure construction near inscribed monuments;

b) Lack of management mechanism;

c) Lack of building and land-use regulations;

d) Tourism development pressures.

• Threat to the integrity of the values of the site;
• Possible impact of heavy traffic on the archaeological remains upon construction of a vehicular bridge (Anegundi Bridge) and a footbridge over the Tungabhadra River.

a) Sustainable conservation management mechanism for the whole property with adequate technical staffing;

b) Adequate traffic regulations;

c) Revision of major construction projects

Total amount provided to the property: Funding under the France-UNESCO Convention for French expert missions (2003, 2005 and 2006) for an amount of 14,000 Euros.

A series of consultative meetings were organised from 3 to 6 August 2005 in Hampi and Bangalore, financed under the World Heritage Fund,to review the management planning process. Through the active participation of ICOMOS, the World Heritage Centre and participants from national and local government, an effective long-term management plan for the conservation of the values of the property has been prepared.

The draft of the integrated management plan (IMP) for the property, in six detailed volumes, was received on 15 January 2006 and has been transmitted to the Advisory Bodies as well as to other concerned international experts for comments.

The IMP for the property has been developed in close consultation with all stakeholders and focuses clearly on the challenges which the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority faces, and describes policies, strategies, and actions required at different levels to bring the Management Plan into full and effective use. It is now being circulated to stakeholder groups and administrative authorities for comment prior to finalising.

ICOMOS deems the pre-final IMP to be a most comprehensive integrated management plan and a model of excellence. However, the quality of the IMP is slightly impaired by the treatment of the statement of significance, a critical point in providing a decision-making reference in a management plan. In view of a possible future re-nomination, a more appropriate understanding of World Heritage criteria is needed. Furthermore, there is no reference made to the authenticity or integrity of the value of the site.

On 31 March 2006, the State Party submitted a brief progress report, as was requested by the 29th session of the Committee, describing the efforts devoted to the IMP. It also refers to the regular conservation measures being undertaken to preserve the vast archaeological remains. However, the State Party has not yet submitted the traffic regulationsto deter heavy traffic from the core area of the site. The establishment of these regulations would constitute the condition for resumption the construction of the Anegundi Bridge.

While the revision of the structural sounding of the Anegundi Bridge is being carried out after the seven year suspension of works and consequent exposure to air and water, a more harmonious design could be sought to ensure the integrity, if feasible in terms of structural conditions, before the final resumption of the construction.

ICOMOS notes that the progress report does not make any detailed reference to crucial issues at stake such as the completion of the Anegundi Bridge foreseen by the Karnataka State Public Works Department upon meeting the mentioned preconditions, the commercial complex-cum-interpretation centre by HUDCO, and the management of the Hampi Bazaar around Virupaksha Temple. However, the IMP offers a good analysis of these issues and provides useful and revealing insights into each of these. The analysis of retail outlets suggests that there is little market potential for the development of the intended commercial complex.

A second training session for the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority and its town-planners was held in February 2006, under the France-UNESCO Convention, in view of establishing cadastral maps and building regulations as a basis for a Master Plan to enable building activities to be monitored within and around the property.

Following the recommendations of the 27th and 28th sessions of the World Heritage Committee and the recent missions, the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority has recruited a conservation architect in 2006 to assist with the implementation of the IMP and the future Master Plan. The conservation architect is the first of several professionals to be recruited in order to make the technical unit of the HWHAMA fully operational.