Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1177 on July 28, 2025, regarding the digitization of cultural heritage under the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA). The response details the number of monuments and antiquities digitized, standardization mechanisms, technology integration, educational initiatives, and the status of heritage sites in specific regions, including Chhattisgarh and Palghar district in Maharashtra. Data is available on the NMMA website (http:nmma.nic.in).
Key Points / Main Content:
Digitization Progress:
* Antiquities documented: Telangana (2598), Rajasthan (42606), Maharashtra (164973).
* Built heritage sites documented: Telangana (629), Rajasthan (2160), Maharashtra (32).
* 60 Built Heritage and Sites documented and published in Chhattisgarh.
Standardization and Accuracy:
* NMMA uses a standard format for documenting heritage buildings, sites, and antiquities since 2007.
Technology Integration:
* The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) uses technologies like AR/VR, 3D mapping, and GIS in restoration, conservation, excavation, and exploration.
Educational Initiatives:
* NMMA conducts awareness workshops and training programs for universities, colleges, NGOs, and other interested organizations.
* Efforts are being made to revive the State-Level Implementation Committee (SLIC) in each state.
* ASI view to be added for awareness programme.
Jalore Fort:
* There is currently no proposal to declare Jalore Fort as a National Monument with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Palghar District, Maharashtra:
* There are 8 protected monuments and areas of national importance in Palghar district.
* Regular conservation works are undertaken in these monuments.
Impact Analysis:
NMMA:
* Impact: Responsible for continuing documentation, standardization, and awareness efforts.
* Action Required: Continue documenting heritage buildings, sites, and antiquities using the standard format. Conduct workshops and training programs, and revive SLICs. Maintain the NMMA website with updated data.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
* Impact: Responsible for technology integration and conservation efforts.
* Action Required: Continue using technologies like AR/VR, 3D mapping, and GIS in restoration, conservation, excavation, and exploration.
State Governments:
* Impact: Need to support documentation and awareness efforts.
* Action Required: Collaborate with NMMA, revive State-Level Implementation Committees (SLIC), and potentially integrate digital heritage data into school and higher education curriculums.
Universities, Colleges, NGOs, and Other Interested Organizations:
* Impact: Benefit from awareness and training programs.
* Action Required: Participate in NMMA workshops and training programs.
Citizens/Youth:
* Impact: Increased awareness of cultural heritage.
* Action Required: Engage with digital heritage resources and participate in awareness programs.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA): A Government of India initiative aimed at documenting heritage buildings, sites, and antiquities to create a comprehensive database.
Telangana: A state in India where the number of digitized monuments, heritage sites and antiquities are specifically inquired about.
Rajasthan: A state in India where the number of digitized monuments, heritage sites and antiquities are specifically inquired about, particularly Jalore and Sirohi districts.
Maharashtra: A state in India where the number of digitized monuments, heritage sites and antiquities are specifically inquired about, particularly Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency and Khandesh region, and Palghar district.
Chhattisgarh: A state in India about the status of digitization of major monuments and heritage sites is specifically inquired about.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The primary organization responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in India.
Jalore Fort: A fort located in Jalore district, Rajasthan, which is being considered for declaration as a National Monument.
Palghar: A district in Maharashtra, in India that contains monuments and heritage sites, whose status and prevention are specifically inquired about.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1177
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025.
DIGITIZATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE UNDER NMMA
✝1177. SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY:
DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA
SHRI JAI PRAKASH
SMT. KAMLESH JANDGE:
SMT. SAMITA UDAY WAGH:
SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY:
SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:
SHRI ALOK SHARMA:
DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:
SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:
SHRI GODAM NAGESH:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of monuments, heritage sites and antiquities digitized so far under the
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities(NMMA) particularly in Telangana, Jalore,
Sirohi districts of Rajasthan and in Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency and the Khandesh region of
Maharashtra;
(b) the mechanisms adopted to ensure standardization and accuracy in documentation process
across the various States and institutions;
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to integrate the use of technology such as 3D
Mapping, AR/VR, GIS etc. in the restoration and presentation of India’s culture heritage;
(d) whether the Government proposes to integrate the said digital heritage database with schools
and higher education curriculam to promote awareness among the youth, if so, the details
thereof;
(e) the status of digitization of the major monuments and heritage sites of Chhattisgarh;
(f) the details of the initiative taken by the Government to teach about or propagate the said digital
heritage across the schools and colleges of the state;
(g) whether the Government proposes to declare the Jalore Fort as a National Monument, if so, the
details therof; and
(h) the details of the current status of monuments and heritage sites in Palghar district in
Maharashtra and the action taken by the Government to prevent the monuments in this area?ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) The total number of monuments and antiquities documented by the National Mission on
Monuments and Antiquities(NMMA) as on today stands as follows: Antiquities on
Telangana-2598, Rajasthan-42606, Maharashtra-164973 and Built heritage & Sites on
Telangana-629, Rajasthan-2160, Maharashtra-32 (Annexure-I). As on date state-wise data
is available on the website. The above data is uploaded on the NMMA website:
http://nmma.nic.in.
(b) NMMA has been documenting the heritage buildings, sites and antiquities since 2007,
with the aim and objective of creating a database for the same. To ensure standardization
and accuracy a standard format for documentation of heritage building sites and
antiquities.
(c) Archaeological Survey of India is using technology like AR / VR, 3D mapping, GIS etc. in
the restoration, conservation, excavation and exploration.
(d) NMMA is conducting workshops in various regions to raise awareness and provide
training programs to universities, colleges, NGOs, and other interested organizations, in
coordination with Circle Offices. Efforts are also being made to revive the State-Level
Implementation Committee (SLIC) in each state to speed up the documentation work. The
data is available in the NMMA website: http://nmma.nic.in.
(e) In total 60 Built Heritage and Sites documented and published in respect of Chhattisgarh.
(f) NMMA is conducting workshops in various regions to raise awareness and provide
training programs to universities, colleges, NGOs, and other interested organizations, in
coordination with Circle Offices. Efforts are also being made to revive the State-Level
Implementation Committee (SLIC) in each state to speed up the documentation work. ASI
view to be added for awareness programme.
(g) At present, there is no such proposal with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
(h) There are 08 protected monuments and areas as of national importance in district Palghar,
Maharashtra. The details are given at Annexure-II. Regular Conservation works are
undertaken in these monuments.Annexure-I
State wise Antiquities published on NMMA website as on 23rdJuly 2025
S. No. State Total Data
1 Andhara Pradesh 6229
2 Assam 1880
3 Bihar 6264
4 Chandigarh 778
5 Chhatisgarh 312
6 Delhi 425059
7 Goa 701
8 Gujarat 46229
9 Haryana 298547
10 Himachal Pradesh 3974
11 Jammu and Kashmir 93430
12 Jharkhand 361
13 Karanataka 904
14 Kerala 906
15 Madhya Pradesh 4889
16 Maharashtra 164973
17 Mizoram 684
18 Orissa 8113
19 Punjab 84862
20 Rajasthan 42606
21 Tamil Nadu 3931
22 Telangana 2598
23 Union Territory of Ladakh 7
24 Utatrakhand 416
25 Uttar Pradesh 37527
26 West Bengal 5168
Total 1241348State wise Built Heritage & Sites data published on NMMA website as on 23rdJuly 2025
S. No. State Name Total Data
1 Andhra Pradesh 1788
2 Bihar 20
3 Chhattisgarh 60
4 Delhi 872
5 Gujarat 46
6 Haryana 1
7 Himachal Pradesh 280
8 Jammu & Kashmir 292
9 Karnataka 312
10 Kerala 174
11 Madhya Pradesh 749
12 Maharashtra 32
13 Odisha 2015
14 Punjab 687
15 Rajasthan 2160
16 Tamil Nadu 922
17 Telangana 629
18 Tripura 4
19 Uttar Pradesh 228
20 West Bengal 135
Total 11406Annexure-II
Protected Monuments and areas as of National importance in district Palghar, Maharashtra
S. No. Name of Monuments/Site Locality District
1 Fort Arnala Palghar
2 Fort and old Portuguese Remains Palghar
3 A Tank by the west side of the road from Umrala village Bolinj Palghar
to Bolinj
4 A Mound locally known as “Sonar Bhat” in Hissa Ni-11 Gas Palghar
of the Survey No.52 having an area of 25 ¼ gunthas
5 Caves on Barad Hill Khunavada Palghar
6 A Mound locally known as Barudkot in Hissa No-2 of Mardes(Nalasopara) Palghar
Survey No.75 having an area of 2 acres and 28 ¼
gunthas
7 Brahmanical Caves PoluSonala Palghar
8 Carved Stones Vada Palghar