The Hindu : National : Heritage Sites Commission to be set up soon

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Monday, Sep 12, 2005

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Heritage Sites Commission to be set up soon

Staff Reporter

THRISSUR: Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Babu Rajiv on Sunday said that a Heritage Sites Commission would be set up by the Centre to ensure conservation of historical monuments in the country.

Inaugurating a seminar on "Protection of historical monuments-issues and prospects," organised by the Kerala Historical Research Society here, he said the commission would have statutory powers. Hence, its directions would be binding on the Government, private groups and individuals. At present, agencies such as the ASI had no statutory powers and this was a major handicap in the effective implementation of decisions.

Replying to questions, he said the proposed commission would concentrate on unprotected monuments. It would advise the Centre on measures to be taken for identification, protection and management of the monuments. It would also review the legal framework for the conservation of monuments and suggest appropriate amendments. The statute for the proposed Commission was being prepared and would be ready by December. It would have to be placed before Parliament and, subsequently, it might have to go through the Standing Committee. "We hope to set up the Commission by early next year," Mr. Rajiv said.

Multiple threats

Many monuments were facing threats because of haphazard growth, unplanned urbanisation, demolition, renovation, negative impact of pilgrim tourism and other forms of tourism, poor maintenance and development projects such as irrigation schemes. "Many of the protected historical monuments which are in religious use have suffered damages due to alterations and renovations by the managements of the monasteries and churches or the waqf board and various other religious endowments. These properties are owned by those managements and little can be done to for their preservation without their consent and involvement."

He suggested that the Central and the State Governments as well as the local bodies act in unison for the effective implementation of the conservation schemes with people's participation and involvement. There was also a need to accelerate the efforts for capacity-building in archaeology which had evolved into a new science. The former Chairman of the Indian Council for Historical Research, M.G.S. Narayanan delivered the keynote address.

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