Question : ENCROACHMENT ON HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

(a) the number of national monuments under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI); State-wise;

(b) whether the ASI conducts nation-wide surveys of these monuments from time to time;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether a large number of centrally protected monuments in various parts of the country have either disappeared or have been encroached upon;

(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(f) the action being taken to clear the encroachments; and

(g) the time by which all the encroachments will be evicted?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI)

(a)to(c) There are 3667 centrally protected monuments/sites which have been declared as of national importance, a list of which (State-wise) is at Annexure-I. The monuments under Archaeological Survey of India are being surveyed from time to time by officers of different levels for their upkeep and maintenance and for enforcement of the provisions of the AMASR Act,1958 and Rules 1959. Conservation, preservation, maintenance and provision of tourist related amenities at these monuments is a continuous process and is undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India as per requirement subject to the availability of resources.

(d)to(g) 35 centrally protected monuments in the country are reported to have disappeared. The details of 35 centrally protected monuments/sites which are not traceable in the country (State-wise)are given at Annexure-II. In order to prevent encroachments, in 1992, ASI has issued a notification declaring areas upto 100 metres from the protected limits of centrally protected monument/site as `prohibited areas` where all construction and mining activities are banned. Another 200 metres beyond this had been declared as `regulated area` where construction/mining activity is permitted only in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence issued by the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India. The Superintending Archaeologist`s of Circles have also been vested with the powers of Estate Officer to issue eviction notices/orders to the encroachers under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. They are also authorised to issue show cause notices under the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules 1959 followed by an order to the District Collector/Magistrate by Director General of Archaeological Survey of India to remove such encroachment under Section 19(2) of the Act and Rules 38 (2) of the Rule. Any fixed time frame for eviction of all encroachments cannot be laid as the Archaeological Survey of India requires assistance of the State and District administration for carrying out evictions. Where there are no fruitful results, legal action has to be initiated against the encroachers by filing eviction cases in the court of law.