4 months ago
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Following concerns expressed by UNESCO astir the proposed tourism infrastructural improvement astatine Anjanadri Hills, the Karnataka authorities is successful the last stages of preparing a Heritage Impact Assessment Report, which is to be submitted by February 1, 2026.
Anjanadri Hills falls successful the buffer portion of Hampi, which has been recognised by UNESCO arsenic a World Heritage Site. UNESCO had expressed concerns that projected projects mightiness impact the “Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.” OUV is simply a cardinal criterion for UNESCO’s World Heritage tract designation.
Concerns raised
Following the 47th World Heritage Convention successful July, UNESCO had asked the State Party to supply updates on the proposed township near Anjanadri Hill, including the operation of 600 accommodations for pilgrims and different facilities and to submit the projected projects details unneurotic with an Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) study to the World Heritage Centre, to beryllium reviewed by the advisory bodies.
The UN agency has also requested updates connected the proposed ropeways and visitant facilities at Anjanadri Hill and clarifications on the presumption of the HIA. The bureau has besides asked the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by February 1, 2026, an updated study connected the authorities of conservation of the property.
Report to beryllium sent by Feb 1
Responding to the concerns raised by World Heritage Committee, a senior official from the Tourism Department said that the guesthouse and toilet complexes are nearing completion, and Heritage Impact Assessments person been conducted for the said facilities.
“We got the HIA done for the impermanent house, and elevation modification successful consonance with the scenery was suggested. That is already being done. Concerns with respect to pilgrim amenities specified arsenic the toilet artifact are besides being factored successful specified a mode that Overall Universal Value is not affected,” the authoritative said.
The prepared reports are being compiled and volition beryllium sent to UNESCO by month-end, the authoritative added.
On ropeway project
Given that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the ropeway is inactive nether way, the HIA for the aforesaid volition beryllium conducted later, they added. According to the official, nary specified new work would beryllium taken up immediately. A funicular strategy (cable rail) oregon a ropeway were being considered for transport earlier.
The radical of monuments at Hampi was added successful ‘The List of World Heritage successful Danger’ successful 1999 noting that the operation of 2 bridges threatened the integrity of the World Heritage Site. Following protective measures from the Karnataka government, Hampi was removed from the database successful 2006.
