Context-The Supreme Court confirmed the Karnataka government authorities’ decision to demolish the commercial buildings around the Hampi, a World Heritage site.

Key points

• Previously, the Karnataka High Court had held that the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWMHMA) was empowered to order the demolition of the illegal buildings.
• The apex court confirmed such order as such constructions were in violation of the Mysore Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1961.
• The apex court has directed the authorities to proceed with their demolition work within a month of the judgment.
• The entire village of Virupapura Gaddi – where the Heritage site is located, as a protected zone in a verdict of 1988.

Concerns raised:

• The appellants were raised their concerns that the HWMHMA cannot direct the demolition of buildings which were created much before the enactment of the Hampi World Heritage Management Authority Act passed in 2002.
• The appellants claimed that the constructions were made as per licenses and permits issued by local authorities in 1999-2000.

About Hampi:

• Hampi is referred as the “Group of Monuments at Hampi” – is the 14th century capital of one of the greatest empires of medieval India called the Vijayanagar Empire
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Vitthala temple in Hampi is an excellent example of Vijayanagar style.
• It was a part of the Mauryan Empire back in the third century BC. 
• The Vijayanagara Empire reached unfathomable heights under the guidance of King Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluva Dynasty. 
• ‘Kishkindha Kaand’ in Ramayana has special significance concerning Hampi.
• It is located near the Tungabhadra river.
• By 1500 CE, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, and probably India’s richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal.
• It has been described by UNESCO as an “austere, grandiose site” of more than 1,600 surviving remains of the last great Hindu kingdom in South India.