1.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (India) (C 1056rev)
Year of inscription on the World Heritage List 2002
Criteria (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)
Year(s) of inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger N/A
Previous Committee Decisions see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1056/documents/
International Assistance
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved: USD 0
For details, see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1056/assistance/
UNESCO Extra-budgetary Funds
N/A
Previous monitoring missions
N/A
Factors affecting the property identified in previous reports
Illustrative material see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1056/
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2003
At the time of inscription of this property on the World Heritage List, the World Heritage Committee noted
with concern the information from ICOMOS regarding intense pressure from tourism development and
pilgrimage activities on-site. The Committee recommended that the Indian authorities develop a
comprehensive management plan to ensure the conservation of the heritage values of the property,
including provisions for regular monitoring and adequate mechanisms to control the impact of tourism
and pilgrimage activities within and surrounding the property.
Since inscription on the World Heritage List, the Centre has received information from local NGOs and
religious groups concerning vandalism and theft on site. Moreover, the Centre has been informed of a
number of court cases that reflect some conflictual relationships between the religious groups using the
property and occasionally the local communities, which reportedly resulted in fires and riots.
Reportedly, some groups have proposed that the management of the property be placed into the hands
of Buddhist religious groups instead of the current local government authority.
Analysis and Conclusions of the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and ICCROM
N/A
Decision Adopted: 27 COM 7B.46
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined the state of conservation of the property for the first time since its inscription on the
World Heritage List in 2002,;
2. Recalling the concern at the time of inscription regarding the tourism and pilgrimage pressures facing
the property,;
3. While noting that the absence of a functioning comprehensive management plan has persisted in
spite of the Committee's recommendation at the time of inscription of the property for the development
of such plan (26 COM 23.16), expresses its appreciation to the State Party for commencing the
elaboration of such a plan,;
4. Expresses concern over the continuing tensions and occasional conflicts between local stakeholders,
in particular the religious groups who wish to use this important religiousWorld Heritage property;
5. Recognizing the associated heritage significance of the surrounding areas of the Mahabodhi Temple
which are intrinsically linked to the enlightenment of Buddha, but which are not within the core nor the
buffer zone of the existing World Heritage property,;
6. Invites the State Party to enlarge the World Heritage protected area to ensure that the protective core
and buffer zones are meaningful and effective for the conservation of the values of the property;
7. Requests the State Party to complete the elaboration of a comprehensive management plan which
adequately integrates:
(a) Local community and stakeholders' dialogue and co-operation,
(b) Protection, conservation and preservation of the heritage value and assets of this sacred property,
(c) Control of development activities within and surrounding the property related to tourism and
pilgrimage activities;
8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 the completed
comprehensive management plan in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of
conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.