Parliamentary Committee Urges for a Review of ASI's Protected Sites List

The parliamentary committee has observed that the list of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected sites needs to be rationalised. It recommends categorising them based on their national importance, unique architecture and specific heritage content. The report also highlights issues with prohibited areas around these monuments and encroachments.

In a recent report, a parliamentary panel has expressed its concern over the list of sites protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Three Hundred Fifty Ninth Report on Functioning of Archaeological Survey of India, presented by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, highlights that many minor monuments are included in this list. The panel recommends that these sites should be rationalised and categorised based on their national significance, unique architectural value and specific heritage content.

Problems with Current Protection Measures

The committee's report was submitted to the Rajya Sabha and placed before the Lok Sabha last Thursday. Apart from recommending a reassessment of what constitutes an ASI-protected site, it also critiqued certain provisions currently in place to protect these monuments. For instance, it pointed out that having a 100-metre prohibited area and 300-metre regulated area around all ASI-protected monuments often invites public criticism due to inconvenience caused.

This issue needs to be "reviewed and made realistic", according to the committee. In addition to this critique, they observed that approximately 14.4 per cent or 531 out of total 3,693 centrally-protected monuments have been encroached upon till date.

Lack Of Clarity And Delay In Preservation Guidelines

The report further revealed some alarming statistics - only nine encroachments have been removed since 2015. This indicates not just lax enforcement but also raises questions about preservation guidelines for these heritage sites. The committee found there is lack of clarity in these guidelines which leads to delay in classification of centrally-protected monuments.

Need For Comprehensive Review

In light of such observations made by the parliamentary panel, there is an urgent need for comprehensive review by ASI regarding protection measures for historical sites. The committee recommends that the ASI should conduct a comprehensive review of all its policies related to preservation and protection of monuments.

The report is expected to stimulate much-needed discussion about how India's cultural heritage can be better preserved and protected. It highlights the need for realistic, clear guidelines on what constitutes an ASI-protected site, as well as more effective measures against encroachment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is commendable that there are efforts in place to protect India’s rich historical and architectural heritage, this report underscores the need for these efforts to be reviewed and updated regularly. A rationalised list of protected sites, clear guidelines for preservation and stringent measures against encroachments are essential steps towards ensuring our national treasures stand tall for generations to come.