Question : PROTECTED HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

(a) the details of historical monuments protected by the Government/Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the State of Himachal Pradesh, monument-wise;

(b) whether the Government has received any complaint regarding poor maintenance or improper restoration methods adopted by ASI in the country, including in the State of Maharashtra;

(c) if so, the details thereof, and the response of the Government thereto;

(d) whether several monuments/sites in the country have been illegally encroached upon including an ancient Portuguese fort at Cannanore in the State of Kerala;

(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise alongwith the steps proposed to be taken to protect and preserve the said monuments;

(f) whether the Government proposes to promote even less popular/famous monuments in the country, including in the State of Karnataka;

(g) if so, the details thereof, monument-wise and State-wise; and

(h) the steps being taken to give a facelift to public amenities at the sites of historical monuments in the country?

MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF CULTURE

(KUMARI SELJA)

(a) There are 40 centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites in Himachal Pradesh, the details are at Annexure-I.

(b)&(c) No, Sir. The centrally protected monuments/sites are in a fairly good state of preservation.

(d)&(e) There are instances of encroachments at centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites and remains due to several factors such as rapid urbanization, increasing pressures on land, commercialization, etc. Recently, on 14.01.2011, the Defence Security Corps, Kannur have forcefully occupied a Well which is part of the St. Angelo Fort, a Centrally Protected Monument. A portion of the well has been broken down to fix a wooden door to access the well from the Cantonment area. The issue has been taken up with the Defence Security Corps authority, District Collector, Police authorities and Hon’ble Munisif.

A State-wise list of monuments, archaeological sites and remains under encroachment is at Annexure-II.

As and when an encroachment is noticed by the field office of Archaeological Survey of India, FIR is lodged with the local police followed by Show Cause Notice by the Archaeological Survey of India to the offender. As all the Superintending Archaeologist of the Circles are also vested with the powers of Estate Officer.Action is also initiated under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised occupants) Act, 1971, wherever applicable.Non compliance of the Show Cause Notice is followed by demolition order to the offender as well as the District Collector/Magistrate to cause removal of such encroachment within a specified period. In certain specific cases, ASI also files litigation against the encroachers before the Court of Law.

(f) to (h) The Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) is in charge of protection and maintenance of the centrally protected monuments/sites which have been declared so under the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 in the country as per Annexure-III. The conservation, preservation and environmental development of the protected monuments is an ongoing process which is undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India as per archaeological norms. ASI is also providing tourist related amenities (e.g. drinking water, toilet blocks, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, cultural notice boards/signage, vehicle parking, etc.) at the centrally protected monuments/sites as per the needs and availability of resources.