Centre informs parliament that ASI survey says 18 protected monuments not in ‘good state of preservation’

Union Tradition Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat mentioned this in a written response to a question within the Rajya Sabha.

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He was requested concerning the causes cited for the disappearance of many ASI-protected monuments as reported to the Parliament earlier, together with any particular challenges confronted by the ASI of their preservation.

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The efficiency audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor Normal (CAG) of India had in 2013 acknowledged that 92 protected monuments had been discovered lacking, however 74 of them have been traced, the Centre had knowledgeable the Parliament in December 2023.

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The ASI is tasked with safety of centrally protected monuments.

“The efficiency Audit Report of Comptroller and Auditor Normal of India (18 of 2013) has acknowledged that 92 protected monuments are lacking. Subsequent survey undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) via its varied subject places of work revealed that 18 protected monuments and websites should not in good state of preservation,” the Union minister mentioned in his response.

“Through the survey subject places of work of the ASI observed strain as a result of speedy urbanisation as one the main challenges impacting monuments,” he mentioned.

Additional, watch and ward is supplied at monuments via multi-tasking workers, non-public safety guards and CISF. In addition to, periodic inspections are additionally undertaken, he added.

There are over 3,690 historical monuments and archaeological websites and stays declared as of nationwide significance by and beneath the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Websites and Stays Act, 1958.

He was additionally requested concerning the measures being taken by authorities to find these lacking monuments and to forestall additional occurrences of such incidents; the small print of the protocols established for monitoring the standing of centrally protected monuments, together with frequency of inspections and reporting; and the affect of the disappearance of those monuments on cultural heritage tourism and native communities.

“Nationwide Coverage for Conservation adopted by the ASI stipulates common inspections of protected monuments to determine standing. Primarily, officers in Sub-circles and Circles of the ASI undertake common inspections of monuments. Additional, officers from Regional Directorate and Headquarters, additionally examine and monitor standing of monuments,” the minister added.

In a separate question, he was additionally requested concerning the whole variety of “unauthorised constructions” carried out in prohibited and controlled areas of every protected monument of the ASI.

“As and when any unauthorised development is reported in prohibited or regulated space, the ASI initiates motion as per provisions of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Websites and Stays Act, 1958 (AMASR Act, 1958),” he added.

In his response, the minister additionally shared the variety of instances reported with respect to unauthorised constructions carried out in prohibited and controlled areas in varied states and UTs.

As per the prevailing rule place, Part 20A of the AMASR Act, 1958, stipulates that an space extending to 100 meters from the protected restrict is prohibited space and Part 20B of the AMASR Act, 1958, stipulate that an space extending to 200 meters from the prohibited restrict is regulated space, he mentioned.