The World Heritage Committee, in a recent report, has severely criticised conservation efforts in Hampi, 16th century capital City of the Vijayanagara empire. It has found the finalisation of the heritage management plan, which began in 2005, slow and the modalities of the implementation unclear.
Referring to recent eviction and demolition of habitation in front of Virupkasha temple, the only religious structure under worship, the committee said “the setting of the temple needs to be managed with utmost sensitivity” and the government should work “in close cooperation with the local community.”
UNESCO inscribed Hampi in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 and has provided about $100,000 for its so far. In 1999, following complaints of poor site management, lack of traffic regulations and construction of two bridges, UNESCO placed the monuments in the list of endangered sites. Since then, it has been periodically reviewing conservation efforts there.
