Parliament Question: Development and Conservation Activities in Himachal Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO.1347 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH 1347 SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR: Will the Minister of CULTUREbe pleased to state: (a) the details of centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Himachal Pradesh, district-wise; (b) the details of the Central schemes and funds sanctioned for the development of pilgrimage centers and heritage sites in Himachal Pradesh district and project wise during the last five financial years; (c) the details of status of conservation, renovation and infrastructure works, including approach roads, parking, pilgrim amenities and timelines for completion, project-wise; (d) the details of funds sanctioned, released, utilised and unspent from 2019-20 to till date, district and project-wise; (e) whether structural risk assessment, climate-vulnerability mapping and community participation involving local bodies, faith institutions and youth have been undertaken; (f) the expected impact on heritage conservation, pilgrim footfall, tourism revenue; and (g) whether additional monuments in the said State are proposed to be declared as centrally protected? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) There are 40 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains (areas) declared as of national importance in the State of Himachal Pradesh, which are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The district-wise details are given at Annexure. (b) The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) Scheme, provides financial assistance to State Governments (SGs) and Union Territory Administrations (UTAs) for the development of tourism-related infrastructure at identified religious and heritage sites across the country. However, no project has been sanctioned in the State of Himachal Pradesh under PRASHAD Scheme. --(c) Their restoration, conservation, preservation, maintenance and environmental development, & providing visitors facilities, pathways, signages etc. are carried out by ASI based on the (d) requirement, and availability of resources, which is a regular phenomenon, following the National Conservation Policy, 2014.The details of expenditure incurred towards these works from 2019-20 to till date as under: (amount in crore) Year Expenditure 2019-20 2.15 2020-21 1.25 2021-22 1.15 2022-23 8.90 2023-24 5.00 2024-25 2.79 2025-26 2.10 2026-27 0.87 (up to 16.07.2026) (e) Inspection of monuments and sites is taken up by ASI’s officials/officers from time to time to & assess their condition and annual works programme is drawn for conservation and maintenance (f) accordingly. To secure the protected area boundary walls, fencing, etc. are provided as per need. In addition to the regular watch and ward staff, private security personnel have also been deployed for the safety and security of selected protected monuments and sites. However, no such assessment and climate vulnerability mapping has been done. Further, ASI promotes community participation and awareness through heritage walks, lectures, exhibitions, competitions, guided tours and outreach programmesorganised on the occasions such as World Heritage Day, World Tourism Day, World Heritage Week etc. (g) No such proposal is under consideration at present.ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1347 FOR 27.07.2026. DISTRICT-WISE DETAILS OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS AND SITES (AREAS) UNDER THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH. Sl.No. NAME OF THE MONUMENT AND AREAS LOCALITY DISTRICT (SITES) 1. Ganesh Temple Bharmaur Bharmaur Chamba 2. Laxmi (Lakhan) Devi Temple Bharmaur Bharmaur Chamba 3. Mani Mahesh Temple Bharmaur Bharmaur Chamba 4. Narsingh Temple Bharmaur Bharmaur Chamba 5. Champavati Temple Chamba Chamba 6. Rock sculptures depicting Sita Ram, Hanumana Chamba Chamba etc. Sarotha, ParganaPanjila 7. Shri Bajreshwari Temple, Bhardiath Chamba Chamba 8. Shri Bansi Gopal Temple Chamba Chamba 9. Shri Chamunda Devi Temple Chamba Chamba 10. Shri Hari Rai Temple Chamba Chamba 11. Shri Lakshmi Narayan group of Temples Chamba Chamba 12. Shri Sita Ram Temple Chamba Chamba 13. Sri Shakti Devi Temple Chhatrari Chamba 14. Narbadeshwar Temple and including the Sujanpur Hamirpur paintings therein as well as subsidiary shrines within the compound wall together with adjacent land confined in survey plot no. 786 15. Katoch Palace Tira Sujanpur Hamirpur 16. Temple at Asapuri Ashapuri Kangra 17. Temple of Baijnath Baijnath Kangra 18. Temple of Sidhnath Baijnath Kangra 19. Buddhist stupa known as BhimTila Chaitru Kangra 20. Ruined Fort Kangra Kangra 21. Rock inscription at Kunyara Khanyara Kangra 22. Fort Kotla (Kotlah) Kangra 23. Monolithic Temples at Masrur with sculptures Masroor Kangra lying in and outside them 24. Ruined Fort Nurpur Kangra 25. Rock inscription at Pathiar Bounded on the Pathiar Kangra North and East by land Belonging to Mangtu Girth and West and South by land belonging to Raman Girth 26. Lord Elgin's Tomb at Uppper Dharamsala Upper Kangra Dharamshala 27. Temple of BashesharMahadeo Bajaura Kullu28. Temple of Gaurishankar with sculptures lying Dassal Kullu in and outside of it 29. A Miniature stone Saiva Temple Jagatsukh Kullu 30. Hidamba Devi Temple together with adjacent Manali Kullu area comprised in part of survey plot nos. 2058 and 2059 and wasteland as shown in the plan reproduced below 31. Temple of Gaurishankar with its sculptures Naggar Kullu 32. Buddhist Monastery together with adjacent area Tabo Lahaul&Spiti comprised in survey plot no. 16 as shown on the attached plan 33. PhooGumpha Buddhist monastery Tabo Lahaul&Spiti 34. MirkulaDevi Temple Udaipur (Lahaul) Lahaul & Spiti 35. Ardhanariswara Temple and adjoining land Mandi Mandi comprised in survey plot nos. 195, 203 and portions of survey plot nos. 193, 194,196 and 204 as shown in the site plan reproduced below 36. Barsela Monuments Mandi Mandi 37. Panchvaktra Temple Mandi Mandi 38. Temple of Trillokinath Mandi Mandi 39. Vice Regal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) Shimla Shimla 40. Siva temple Mangarh Sirmaur ****