India is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with Jaipur probably being among the most recognised of them all. However, the capital of Rajasthan is under scrutiny by UNESCO, which has threatened to take away the prestigious tag.
This was because of concerns raised by heritage experts and international bodies that highlighted poor conservation practices, infrastructure projects, pollution, and growing urban pressure could affect the historic heritage of the city.
Now, UNESCO has reportedly alleged that if authorities are not able to correct the areas of concern, then it could lead to serious consequences, including possible removal from the World Heritage list.
What Is UNESCO Saying?
Built in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur, often called the Walled City or Pink City was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 for its unique urban planning, architecture, and cultural heritage.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), however, since the past few years, has been keeping an eye on the city and last year finally asked Indian authorities to submit detailed status reports explaining the condition of the Walled City and the steps taken to protect it.
UNESCO has raised concerns twice, in 2023 and again in 2025, over unchecked demolitions, illegal encroachments, and large-scale development projects being carried out within both the core heritage area and its buffer zones.
A deadline for December 2026 has been given to Jaipur authorities to show they’re taking the correct measures to protect the city and preserve the World Heritage tag.
Mayank Singh, a conservator and researcher into the City Palace of Jaipur, was quoted by The Print saying, “Jaipur has multiple ongoing projects to encourage heritage tourism at places like Amer Fort and Jal Mahal, alongside efforts to develop nature trails in the area. However, there are genuine concerns about the city losing its UNESCO tag due to encroachments and unregulated constructions in notified areas. A collective effort by stakeholders and authorities will be instrumental in preserving this prestigious status.”
According to reports, the city has seen mounting neglect and disregard from the state government and authorities. According to The Print, in 1991, Jaipur had around 1,200 havelis, which today has fallen to approximately 800.
In October 2025, reports emerged about the increased loss of architecture in the city, either by neglect or demolitions after multiple heritage zones were marked as unsafe and ready to be razed down by bulldozers.
UNESCO in early 2025 pointed out how “The World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies are concerned that the State Party (India) has yet to respond to the request for information made on November 14, 2023,” and that “The apparent lack of enforcement and oversight by responsible authorities threatens the integrity of the property.”
The report also brought up how dysfunctional Jaipur’s Heritage Cell is, writing, “Critical tasks such as commissioning Heritage Impact Assessments, adaptive reuse projects and preparation of inventories and conservation reports remain unfulfilled.”
Read More: In Pics: India’s 7 New Additions To UNESCO’s Heritage Sites
UNESCO also noted four additional ongoing projects that require close scrutiny: the redevelopment of Kishanpole College, the expansion of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, the conservation of baoris (historic stepwells), and, most prominently, the extension of the Jaipur Metro Rail from Badi Chaupar towards Transport Nagar.
The metro extension in particular has drawn attention because, according to reports, construction was being advanced without a completed Heritage Impact Assessment being submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review.
Another concern raised in reports relates to waste management and sanitation in parts of the Walled City.
Despite official cleanliness drives, garbage accumulation remains a recurring issue in some areas. Reports after Diwali last year noted large garbage piles across parts of Jaipur despite claims of improved sanitation systems.
Neeraj Shukla, a resident of Shipra Path in Mansarovar, said, “After Diwali, the garbage hopper came only once. It was overloaded, and when we tried to throw our garbage, it spilled right in front of our house. We’ve had to sweep the area ourselves. It’s been four days now, and no one has come back.”
A councillor from the Walled City area also revealed that “Not only have the old depots remained uncleared, but new ones have also appeared,” adding how “RFID tags have been installed just for formality. If garbage vehicles can’t even reach the narrow lanes, how can the corporation justify collecting fees from citizens?”
Could Jaipur really lose its UNESCO World Heritage status, though? Experts don’t think the fear is that immediate; however, these warnings should not be taken lightly either.
World heritage expert, Dr Shikha Jain, speaking with The Print, said, “It is too preliminary to mention that Jaipur will lose its UNESCO heritage tag. Jaipur City does have a long list of commitments to complete certain tasks and to submit the State of Conservation Report by Dec 2026. In case the report is not satisfactory, they may get a Reactive Monitoring Mission in future. Based on the recommendations of such a mission, it will be monitored closely on its performance.”
Reactive monitoring means ‘the reporting by the World Heritage Centre, other sectors of UNESCO and the advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of specific properties that are under threat’.
Jain explained that, “If it fails to do so, it has chances of going into the ‘Danger’ list. A property gets reviewed every year for its performance when it’s on the danger list. Based on its performance, it can get delisted in the long term.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Firstpost, The Print, ET Infra
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