{"id":56019,"date":"2025-10-04T20:41:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T15:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=56019"},"modified":"2025-10-06T11:03:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T05:33:06","slug":"heritage-management-conservation-policy-shift-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-10-2025\/heritage-management-conservation-policy-shift-india","title":{"rendered":"Heritage Management &amp; Conservation: Policy Shift in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government plans to open up conservation of protected monuments \u2014 so far the mandate of only the<strong> Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)<\/strong> \u2014 to private entities, marking the beginning of a <strong>public-private partnership model in heritage management.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background: ASI\u2019s Exclusive Mandate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)<\/strong> was established<strong> in 1861<\/strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Culture<\/strong>, responsible for <strong>archaeological research and the protection of India\u2019s cultural heritage.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It plays a central role in the <strong>maintenance, conservation, and preservation<\/strong> of ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and remains of <strong>national importance.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It enforces the<strong> Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites<\/strong> <strong>and Remains Act, 1958<\/strong> and the<strong> Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Organizational Structure of ASI: <\/strong>ASI operates through <strong>37 regional Circles across India<\/strong>, each responsible for fieldwork, conservation, and research in its jurisdiction. Specialized branches include:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Science Branch:<\/strong> Focuses on conservation science and material analysis;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Horticulture Branch:<\/strong> Maintains gardens around heritage sites;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Underwater Archaeology Wing:<\/strong> Explores submerged cultural heritage;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temple Survey Projects: <\/strong>Documents temple architecture and iconography.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"32332f\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Heritage-Management-Conservation-Policy-Shift-in-India.webp\" alt=\"Heritage Management &amp; Conservation Policy Shift in India\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-56043\" style=\"--dominant-color: #32332f; width:587px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Heritage-Management-Conservation-Policy-Shift-in-India.webp 770w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Heritage-Management-Conservation-Policy-Shift-in-India-300x94.webp 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Heritage-Management-Conservation-Policy-Shift-in-India-768x239.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The ASI has so far been <strong>solely responsible for the conservation<\/strong> of around <strong>3,700 protected monuments<\/strong><strong>across India.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It often led to <strong>delays and limited capacity to manage<\/strong> the vast number of heritage structures requiring attention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>New Public-Private Partnership Model<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The new initiative aims to introduce a <strong>public-private partnership (PPP)<\/strong> model in heritage conservation. The move seeks to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Enhance capacity<\/strong> for conservation work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accelerate project timelines<\/strong> that have historically been slow under ASI\u2019s single-agency approach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encourage private participation<\/strong> while maintaining professional and regulatory oversight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All conservation projects will continue to be supervised by the ASI and must comply with the <strong>National Policy for Conservation (2014)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Framework and Implementation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Role of the National Culture Fund (NCF): <\/strong>Funds for all projects will be routed through the <strong>NCF<\/strong>, established in 1996 with a government corpus of \u20b920 crore.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>NCF\u2019s structure<\/strong> allows donors to contribute funds directly for conservation projects while receiving <strong>100% tax exemptions<\/strong> under CSR initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Empanelment of Conservation Architects: <\/strong>The Union Ministry of Culture aims to issue a <strong>Request for Proposal (RFP)<\/strong> to empanel more than a dozen conservation architects across India, as the first step.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Donors will select from this panel to guide their conservation projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The architect and donor will jointly hire external implementing agencies with experience in heritage conservation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Detailed Project Report (DPR)<\/strong> for each project needs to be approved by the ASI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It effectively means that while the ASI retains its supervisory role, <strong>private players can now become implementing agencies<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Track Record of the National Culture Fund<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The NCF has attracted <strong>\u20b9140 crore<\/strong> in donations from corporate and public sector donors, financing over <strong>100 conservation projects<\/strong>, since its inception in 1996.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Completed Projects:<\/strong> Bhuleshwar Temple (Pune), British Residency (Hyderabad), monuments at Mandu, and works at Purana Qila and Red Fort (New Delhi).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ongoing Projects:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Deobaloda (Bhilai, Chhattisgarh): funded by SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tourist facilities at Kala Amb (Panipat) and Singorgarh Fort (MP): funded by Indian Oil Corporation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Excavated remains at Vikramshila (Bihar): funded by NTPC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Checks, Balances, and Eligibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Only <strong>qualified conservation architects<\/strong> with proven track records will be empanelled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implementing agencies<\/strong> need to demonstrate prior experience in restoring structures over 100 years old.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conservation proposals need to adhere strictly to the <strong>National Policy for Conservation (2014)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Initially, a <strong>list of 250 monuments<\/strong> needing urgent conservation will be published.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Donors may choose from this list or request specific sites based on regional or thematic interests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits for Corporates and the Heritage Sector<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For Donors:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Direct participation in conservation efforts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Full <strong>CSR tax benefits<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public recognition<\/strong> at monument sites for contributions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For the Heritage Sector:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased <strong>funding inflow<\/strong> for conservation projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expanded <strong>implementation capacity<\/strong> beyond ASI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faster project execution and <strong>enhanced accountability<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Comparison with \u2018Adopt a Heritage\u2019 Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Earlier, the government\u2019s <strong>\u2018Adopt a Heritage\u2019<\/strong> initiative allowed corporate bodies to <strong>act as monument mitras<\/strong>, focusing on developing tourist amenities such as cafes, ticket counters, and restrooms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The new plan, however, goes further \u2014 <strong>allowing private participation in core conservation work<\/strong>, marking a major policy shift in heritage management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Safeguarding Jurisdictions: Constitutional Mandates<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Union:<\/strong> Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological sites and remains, <strong>declared by Parliament<\/strong>, by law to be of national importance.<br>&#8211; <strong>State:<\/strong> Ancient and Historical Monuments <strong>other than those declared by Parliament<\/strong> to be of national importance.<br>&#8211; <strong>Concurrent: Besides the above<\/strong>, both the Union and States have concurrent jurisdiction over archaeological sites and remains <strong>other than those declared by law and Parliament<\/strong> to be of national importance<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 253:<\/strong> It enables Parliament to legislate for the implementation of any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries, or any decision, made at any international conference, association or other body.<br>1. Any such legislation can be enacted even if the subject matter of the legislation is an item in the <strong>State List of the Constitution of India.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/in-a-first-monument-conservation-will-open-to-private-players-10283034\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: IE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The government plans to open up conservation of protected monuments \u2014 so far the mandate of only the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) \u2014 to private entities, marking the beginning of a public-private partnership model in heritage management.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>Background: ASI\u2019s Exclusive Mandate<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 under the Ministry of Culture, responsible for archaeological research and the protection of India\u2019s cultural heritage.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It plays a central role in the maintenance, conservation, and preservation of ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and remains of national importance.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It enforces the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-10-2025\/heritage-management-conservation-policy-shift-india\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56019"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56045,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56019\/revisions\/56045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}