After UNESCO’s concerns on tourism infra work at Hampi, govt to submit report by Feb. 1

Following concerns expressed by UNESCO about the proposed tourism infrastructural development at Anjanadri Hills, the Karnataka government is in the final stages of preparing a Heritage Impact Assessment Report, which is to be submitted by February 1, 2026

Following concerns expressed by UNESCO about the proposed tourism infrastructural development at Anjanadri Hills, the Karnataka government is in the final stages of preparing a Heritage Impact Assessment Report, which is to be submitted by February 1, 2026.  

Anjanadri Hills falls in the buffer zone of Hampi, which has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. UNESCO had expressed concerns that proposed projects might affect the “Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.” OUV is a key criterion for UNESCO’s World Heritage site designation. 

Following the 47th World Heritage Convention in July, UNESCO had asked the State Party to provide updates on the proposed township near Anjanadri Hill, including the construction of 600 accommodations for pilgrims and other facilities and to submit the proposed projects details together with an Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) report to the World Heritage Centre, to be reviewed by the advisory bodies. 

The UN agency has also requested updates on the proposed ropeways and visitor facilities at Anjanadri Hill and clarifications on the status of the HIA. The agency has also asked the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by February 1, 2026, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property. 

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 have been conducted for the said facilities. 

“We got the HIA done for the guest house, and elevation modification in consonance with the landscape was suggested. That is already being done. Concerns with respect to pilgrim amenities such as the toilet block are also being factored in such a way that Overall Universal Value is not affected,” the official said.