Jaipur faces risk of losing UNESCO World Heritage status: reports

Jaipur could risk losing its World Heritage status, conferred by UNESCO in 2019, following concerns raised by the global body over demolition and alleged illegal construction near protected heritage areas, as per reports.

The United Nations agency has reportedly flagged issues relating to the conservation of the ‘Pink City’ in 2023 and again in 2025 after receiving reports of activities close to heritage precincts. Jaipur has been given until December 2026 to undertake corrective measures and submit a detailed State of Conservation Report in order to retain the coveted tag.

Reports citing a world heritage expert reportedly state that Jaipur is likely to lose its UNESCO World Heritage tag. She added that the city has a long list of commitments to fulfil and must submit the State of Conservation Report by December 2026. If the report is not satisfactory, a reactive monitoring mission may be undertaken in the future. Based on its recommendations, the site will be closely monitored.

Reactive monitoring refers to reporting by the World Heritage Centre, other UNESCO sectors and advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of properties under threat.

The expert reportedly added that failure to comply with the required measures could lead to Jaipur being placed on the ‘List of World Heritage in Danger’. Sites on the danger list are reviewed annually, and continued non-compliance can ultimately result in delisting.

UNESCO has reportedly asked local authorities to demonstrate concrete steps towards preservation by the end of this year. Official data indicate that Jaipur had nearly 1,200 havelis in 1991, which has since declined to around 800.

Globally, only three sites have been removed from the World Heritage list: Liverpool in the United Kingdom, Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany, and the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman.

In India, other World Heritage sites such as Hampi in Karnataka and Ahmedabad in Gujarat have also undergone reactive monitoring missions to assess potential threats. In the case of Hampi, such a mission was undertaken in 2000. The Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves and Manas National Park have similarly been subject to monitoring exercises.

In its 2025 report, UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre flagged two specific projects in Ahmedabad as potential threats: the redevelopment of the Kalupur Railway precinct within the buffer zone and the Danapith Fire Station redevelopment located inside the core heritage area. The Rajasthan government subsequently submitted a State of Conservation report, which was considered in the agency’s 2025 assessment, as per reports.

According to reports, a conservator who has researched the City Palace of Jaipur said that while the city is pursuing multiple initiatives to promote heritage tourism — including projects at Amer Fort and Jal Mahal — concerns persist about encroachments and unregulated construction in notified zones.