The Andaman and Nicobar Islands State Heritage committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary Shakti Sinha in its first sitting has short-listed Cellular Jail, Gallows at the Viper Island, Japanese Bunkers, Chatham Saw Mill and Government Boys' Senior Secondary School, Middle Point as the heritage sites, sources said.
More such sites and monuments will be taken up in due course so that these can be fully restored and protected.
The State Heritage Committee has decided to carry out proper demarcation of these sites/monuments, appointment of expert consultants for their restoration, provide substantial documentation of the historical events and arrangements for their protection and security, they said.
In the first phase site plan and schedule of protection will be prepared, including photo documentation and structural description of monuments. This will then be used for notifying the sites/monuments in the official gazette declaring them to be protected by the Department of Art and Culture, Andaman and Nicobar administration.
The administration will ensure that the sanctity of the gallows of the Viper Island and other heritage sites is maintained, protected and showcased to the visiting tourists. (MORE)