Question : Study to Assess Impact of Illegal Encroachment of Monuments

(a) the details of the grants released by Government to meet the expenditure towards conservation of protected monuments, sites viz., removal of encroachment, fencing of evicted land, etc., year-wise since 2014;

(b) if no such grant has been released, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether any study has been conducted by Government to assess the impact of illegal occupation/encroachment of protected monuments and sites;

(d) if so, details of the study and, if not, reasons therefor; and

(e) the details of all the measures taken by Government to prohibit encroachment of protected monuments and to protect the evicted land?

MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b) The details of funds released /expenditure incurred by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for conservation of centrally protected monuments including removal of encroachment, construction of boundary walls etc., year wise, since 2014 are as follows:

S. No. Year Funds allocated/expenditure incurred
(Amount Rs. In Lakhs)
1. 2014-15 23551.95
2. 2015-16 23861.24
3. 2016-17 30129.37
4. 2017-18 41076.79
5. 2018-19 40502.01
6. 2019-20 43540.26
7. 2020-21 26083.41
8. 2021-22 16941.00 (Allocation)


(c) & (d) The illegal occupation/encroachment is unlawful activity which is prevented by enforcing provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.1958. The law enforcement agencies are kept informed of such situations, whenever they arise.

(e) To prohibit encroachment of protected monuments and protected areas, requisite watch & ward and security staff comprising Monument Attendants, Private Guards, Armed Security Guards etc. are deployed as per the requirements of different sites.

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