Why is it in the news?
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is delisting 18 centrally protected monuments due to a lack of national importance.
- These monuments, previously categorized as “untraceable,” include significant sites like Kos Minar No.13, Barakhamba Cemetery, Gunner Burkill’s tomb, a cemetery at Gaughat, and the Telia Nala Buddhist ruins.
More about the news
- Delisting means these monuments will no longer receive conservation, protection, and maintenance by ASI.
- Construction-related activities will be allowed around delisted sites, as opposed to the restrictions under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act).
- In 2022, the Ministry of Culture reported 50 missing monuments out of 3,693 protected ones.
- Only 248 monuments had security guards due to budgetary constraints.
- A 2013 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India identified 92 missing monuments.
- Efforts to locate missing monuments have been ongoing, with some success in identifying and accounting for a portion of them.
| About ASI
· ASI currently oversees 3,693 monuments, which will decrease to 3,675 after the delisting. · The ASI’s responsibilities include protecting and maintaining monuments deemed of national importance. · The ASI’s effectiveness has varied over time due to resource constraints and a focus on uncovering new monuments rather than conserving existing ones.
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