Trafficking of Antiquities
In the year 2014, a total of 6 cases of theft of antiquities have been reported from Centrally protected monuments/Sites/Museum maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. Similarly in the year 2015 till date, 2 such cases have been reported. Under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972, provisions exist for regulating the trade in antiquities and for registering specific categories of antiquities. India is also a signatory to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Trafficking in cultural property
The provision for security at museums and protected monuments by deploying State Police, Private Security Guards and also CISF in selected places exists. Strict vigil is also maintained by the Customs Department at all airports and seaports and other law enforcing agencies like the CBI, DRI and the State Police
The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities would document the antiquities and prepare a national database, which would help in establishing provenance in the retrieval of smuggled antiquities. The Mission would also promote public awareness, concern and participation in safeguarding of antiquarian wealth.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question today in Lok Sabha.
