3685 monuments/sites in the country have been declared as of national importance till date. During the year 2013-14, an amount of Rs. 16963.86 lakhs was allocated for the protection and maintenance of monuments declared as of national importance.
As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains, as the case may be, which are of historical, archaeological or artistic interest, and have been in existence for not less than 100 years, may be declared by the Central Government as of national importance.
The protection and maintenance of monuments, declared as of national importance is taken up by Archaeological Survey of India by way of structural repairs, chemical preservation and environmental development around the monument which is a regular and ongoing process and the required works are taken-up on need basis as per the established principles of conservation, subject to availability of resources. In addition, creating of tourist related amenities (e.g. drinking water, toilet blocks, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, cultural notice boards/signage, vehicle parking, cloak rooms, etc.) at the centrally protected monuments/sites are also the regular activities which the ASI undertakes as per needs and availability of resources.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
NB/NK/PS
As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains, as the case may be, which are of historical, archaeological or artistic interest, and have been in existence for not less than 100 years, may be declared by the Central Government as of national importance.
The protection and maintenance of monuments, declared as of national importance is taken up by Archaeological Survey of India by way of structural repairs, chemical preservation and environmental development around the monument which is a regular and ongoing process and the required works are taken-up on need basis as per the established principles of conservation, subject to availability of resources. In addition, creating of tourist related amenities (e.g. drinking water, toilet blocks, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, cultural notice boards/signage, vehicle parking, cloak rooms, etc.) at the centrally protected monuments/sites are also the regular activities which the ASI undertakes as per needs and availability of resources.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
NB/NK/PS
