National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities Launched

The Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Ambika Soni, has suggested that Members of Parliament can earmark some money of their Local Area Development Fund for conservation and preservation of monuments of their choice in the country. Launching the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, she said tourism is incomplete without strengthening the cultural heritage of the country and efforts should be made for a proper survey and documentation of archaeological resources. She said with the launching of the mission, the Government has taken a firm step in that direction.

The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia welcoming the launching of the mission said not only MPs but members of the State Legislatures can also contribute in conservation and preservation of heritage sites and monuments through their Local Area Development Fund. He said, Planning Commission supports fully the ideas about preservation of monuments, as it will help future generations to understand the past of the country. Dr. Ahluwalia suggested that any policy conceived by the Archaeological Survey of India should be put on its website for public debate.

Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Badal K. Das, Director General Archaeological Survey of India C. Babu Rajiv and experts Narayani Gupta of INTACH and Ranesh Roy also spoke on the occasion.
The National Mission on Monument and Antiquities has the following mandate:-

Prepare national register of built heritage, Sites and Antiquities. Set up state level data base on built heritage, sites and antiquarian wealth for information and dissemination to planner, researchers etc., and for better management of such cultural resources. It attempts to create a systematic, accessible and retrievable inventory of the built heritage, sites and antiquarian heritage of the country. Promote awareness programme concerning the benefits of preserving the historical and cultural aspects of built heritage, sites and antiquities. Extend training facility and capacity building to the concerned state departments, local bodies, NGOs, universities, museums, communities etc. in the field of conservation of built heritage, and preservation and management of antiquarian remains.

Help in developing synergy between institutions like ASI, State Departments, institutions concerned and NGO’s to generate close interaction.

The activities to be carried out are: Preparation of National Register of Antiquities by documenting antiquities from primary and secondary sources. Preparation of National Register of Built Heritage and sites by compiling the existing records both published and unpublished. Prepare a National Thematic Atlas of Built Heritage, Sites and Antiquities.

Promote awareness programme about archaeological heritage and sensitizing people about its preservation and management through various out reach programmes such as exhibitions, popular lectures, advertisements through print an electronic media etc. Sensitive people about documentation, preservation and preventive conservation of various types of antiquarian remains. Encourage owners/ institutions using built heritage to develop conservation management plans to preserve the integrity of the heritage building. Capacity building to the concerned State Departments, local bodies, NGO’s, Universities, museums, communities etc. in respect of heritage protection and preservation through training programmes, seminars and workshops. Publication of popular literature in various local languages for the people and educational institutions in respect of preservation and management of built heritage, sites and antiquities. Check illicit trafficking of antiquities through public awareness and data base on antiquities. Conservation of selected unprotected monuments. Help in formulating cultural policy of state and local level.

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities proposes to launch its activities through out the country with independent functional strategy in each state and union territory. It is envisaged that mandate of the Mission should be achieved within a stipulated time frame of five years i.e. 2007-2012. The budget of the Mission is Rs. 90 crore for five years.••