The Archaeological Survey of India is in the process of preparing the nomination dossier in pursuance of inclusion of the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Rajya Sabha was told today.
In his written reply, Minister of State for Culture Shripad Naik said that the preparation of "nomination dossier is progressing" and it is proposed to be forwarded to World Heritage Centre, UNESCO in the year 2015.
Nalanda university was an ancient seat of higher-learning in the state of Bihar. The site is located about 88 km southeast of Patna, and was a religious centre of learning from the fifth century AD to 12th century AD.
The Western Ghats, Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Rani Ki- Vav in Gujarat were selected as UNESCO World Heritage sites during the last three years, he added.
Answering to another query, Naik said that 278 instances of encroachments in some of the centrally-protected monuments were reported till date.
About 3,680 monuments, archaeological sites and remains included in the list of ASI are centrally-protected in the country.
