Living Heritage: How Hampi’s Architectural Past Shelters Its Ecological Present

Nestled in the simmering heart of Karnataka, Hampi is a place where myth, history, and geology converge, and time seems to fold up on itself. With its surreal boulder-strewn terrain, this UNESCO World Heritage Site draws millions who come to marvel at the ruins of the once-thriving Vijayanagara Empire. But alongside the grandeur of carved pillars and majestic stone temples lies an unsung ecological narrative: The incidental conservation of rocky outcrops, one of India’s most overlooked and ecologically vital Open Natural Ecosystems (ONE), often misconstrued as “wasteland”.

Echoes of Time, Etched in Stone

Walking through Hampi feels like stepping into a tangible past. The cactus-like Euphorbia shine golden green in the scattered sunlight, glinting through boulders. Ruins of ancient temples emerge as one walks down a trail. The monolithic sculptures and laboriously carved mandapas transport visitors into the past. Here, from his birthplace in the hills of Anjanadri, a young Hanuman, the story goes, leapt for the sun, mistaking it for a mango. The Tungabhadra River whispers age-old tales as it meanders past stone chariots and elephant stables. The columns of Hampi Bazaar act as a portal to a bustling marketplace. These stories are etched into the land, where architecture emanates from the boulders and encapsulates stories of worship, war, empire, and culture.

These sacred geographies have inadvertently also become a sanctuary for nature. 

The Rocky Outcrops: Harsh or Hospitable?

To the untrained eye, Hampi’s rocky terrain might seem lifeless, perhaps even barren. In truth, they are thriving microhabitats. These granitic boulders, around three billion years old, are remnants of the Deccan’s volcanic past and a unique geological heritage in their own right. Rocky outcrops are characterised by their extreme temperatures, minimal soil cover, and patchy vegetation. Such conditions, however, are also home to a surprising diversity of life, including reptiles, amphibians, specialised insects, birds, mammals, and endemic plants that have evolved to thrive in these harsh conditions.

In Hampi, species such as the yellow-throated bulbul, the southern rock agama, and various geckos find refuge in crevices. Rock-dwelling fauna thrive on Matanga Hill, believed to have been the site of sage Matanga’s ashram. Insects like rock bees and certain solitary wasps make their nests in the fissures of the rocks. The Deccan fan-throated lizard, with its vivid blue and orange dewlap, performs territorial displays atop warm boulders under the scorching sun.

Rocky outcrops are also important habitats for the elusive striped hyena, the endangered Indian wolf, leopards, and even sloth bears, who use the boulders as dens and to escape the heat. 

Cultural Reverence and Ecological Stewardship

What makes Hampi unique is that the conservation of this rocky ecosystem is not the result of deliberate environmental policy or ecological conservation efforts, but rather a byproduct of cultural preservation. Hampi’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has placed stringent controls on development and land-use changes in the core and buffer zones surrounding the temple complexes. Agricultural activity is limited, and urbanisation has been heavily restricted to preserve the sanctity and visual integrity of the ancient ruins.

These restrictions have, by default, protected large swathes of rocky terrain that might otherwise have been quarried, mined, or converted to farmland. The same rocks that served as canvases for architectural genius and backdrops for mythological tales shelter scuttling life forms and rare blooms. The discipline with which the land is treated has created a form of passive conservation. Visitors to the temples may not know the name of the lizard they glimpse skittering over a wall, or the term “rock outcrop,” but their interest in and the allure of a UNESCO World Heritage Site contribute to the preservation of this habitat.

Recognising rocky outcrops as distinct ecological systems

Yet, this preservation is fragile. While the core heritage zone remains well guarded, the surrounding regions face mounting pressure from tourism infrastructure, expanding agriculture, and illicit mining. Already, some rocky outcrops outside the buffer zone have been cleared for roads or tourism projects, fragmenting habitats and disrupting the delicate ecological balance.

Conservationists argue for recognising rocky outcrops not merely as scenic backdrops to temples, but as ecosystems in their own right, worthy of protection irrespective of cultural overlays. This includes formal ecological assessments, integration into regional biodiversity action plans, and recognition of rocky outcrops as distinct ecosystems.

A Living Landscape of Stone and Spirit

Unfortunately, the story of Hampi is an exception. There is a lack of awareness regarding the ecological and sociocultural importance of rocky outcrops in general. Their dry physical appearance has led to them being misclassified as wastelands, with disastrous results and changes allowed on rocky outcrops without adequate ecological impact assessments. For example, mining for bauxite in Kolhapur, conversion to intensive agriculture in the Konkan, irresponsible tourism activities, and fragmentation of lands by building roads and fencing have led to degradation of these habitats. 

The lesson here is that sometimes religious and historical values can extend beyond their cultural importance and conserve natural landscapes beyond the built heritage being protected. The symbiosis of stone and story here is not incidental. It is a testament to how reverence for the past can serve the present and our most urgent ecological needs.

However, it also serves as a lesson in reevaluating our ecological and societal values. Which natural landscapes are deemed worthy of conservation? Can we place greater emphasis on conserving ecosystems for being ecosystems in their own right? Much of what we classify as “wasteland” holds geological heritage, living habitats for microorganisms, and a part of the diversity of Earth’s natural ecosystems.

As the sun casts long shadows over the Virupaksha Temple and the stone chariot sits immovable yet timeless in the Vijaya Vittala temple, we see that in saving our stories, we have also saved a landscape. Perhaps, in Hampi, the rocks themselves are the storytellers — guarding tales not just of gods and empires, but of roots, wings, and scales.