The Karnataka Tourism Department on Thursday, 13 August directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the 'Clean & Green Hampi' campaign, targeting improved cleanliness, environmental conservation, and visitor infrastructure at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi. The directive follows a high-level video conference convened by Tourism Secretary Ram Prasath Manohar to review the site's current facilities and conservation measures.

What the Campaign Covers

Tourism Minister K.J. George framed the initiative as a shift in how the state views the ancient site. "Rather than viewing Hampi merely as a tourist destination, our objective is to preserve its heritage significance while developing it as a clean, green and visitor-friendly destination," he said. The campaign envisions active participation from both tourists and the general public, with the government positioning it as a people's movement rather than a top-down administrative exercise.

Manohar directed the Hampi Development Authority and the Vijayanagara Deputy Commissioner to draft a detailed action plan. He stressed that maintaining cleanliness at a heritage site cannot rest solely with government agencies, and that awareness programmes must be designed to draw visitors into active upkeep efforts.

Key Directives Issued

The Hampi Development Authority has been asked to initiate a tender process to appoint a comprehensive agency responsible for systematic cleaning and maintenance across the heritage site's various zones. Officials were also directed to enforce a plastic ban within the limits of the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA), aimed at creating a plastic-free environment and protecting both heritage structures and natural surroundings.

Separately, the Vijayanagara Deputy Commissioner and HWHAMA Chairman were instructed to ensure regular cleaning and upkeep of the toilet complex near the Virupaksha Temple, one of Hampi's most visited landmarks. The Deputy Commissioner has also been asked to submit a proposal for a new toilet complex under the Hampi Nook Project, given the growing volume of visitors and the need to strengthen tourist infrastructure.

Who Was in the Room

The video conference brought together Tourism Department Commissioner Shivaprasad P.R., Vijayanagara Deputy Commissioner Kavitha S. Manikere, officials of HWHAMA, and representatives of the Archaeological Survey of India. The breadth of participation signals an inter-agency approach to what has historically been a fragmented conservation effort at the site.

Why Hampi Needs This Push

Hampi, the 15th-century capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and draws hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists annually. Critics and heritage conservationists have long flagged inadequate sanitation, unregulated plastic use, and insufficient visitor management as threats to the site's integrity. This initiative is the latest in a series of state-level efforts to address those concerns, though implementation timelines and accountability mechanisms are yet to be publicly detailed. A comprehensive action plan covering cleanliness, plastic control, and infrastructure maintenance is expected to be prepared and implemented in the coming weeks.