Question : MONUMENTS LYING UNATTENDED IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

(a) whether a large number of centrally protected monuments of national importance are lying unattended in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether some monuments are under encroachment;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by ASI in this regard; and

(e) the efforts made by the Government to attract the overseas tourists?

MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND CULTURE(SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI)

(a)&(b) No monument/site in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has been declared as of national importance under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. As such the question of monuments of national importance lying unattended does not arise.

(c) to Questions do not arise.