**Executive Summary**
This document addresses an unstarred question (No. 2311) in Lok Sabha regarding the inclusion of heritage sites and Majuli Island in the UNESCO list. It outlines the current status of related proposals, details the funds allocated for conservation efforts in Assam, and describes the government's initiatives to integrate traditional festivals into India's cultural tourism circuit. The answer is to be provided by the Minister of Culture and Tourism on 15.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **UNESCO World Heritage List Proposals:**
* The Archaeological Survey of India has recommended the Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath, for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
* **Majuli Island UNESCO Status:**
* Majuli Island was included in the Tentative List of the World Heritage in 2004.
* Currently, there is no proposal to include the property in the list of World Heritage.
* **Assam Heritage Site Conservation:**
* 55 monuments and sites in Assam are protected under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India, including Ahom-era monuments and other major sites.
* Funds allocated and utilized for conservation in Assam are as follows (in Lakhs):
* 2020-21: Allocated: 257.98, Expenditure: 257.98
* 2021-22: Allocated: 292.01, Expenditure: 292.01
* 2022-23: Allocated: 625.55, Expenditure: 625.55
* 2023-24: Allocated: 754.68, Expenditure: 754.68
* 2024-25: Allocated: 379.57, Expenditure: 379.57
* 2025-26 (till 09th Dec 2025): Allocated: 303.16, Expenditure: 233.16
* **Integration of Traditional Festivals:**
* The Government of India promotes traditional and cultural festivals of the Northeastern region through various programs.
* Bihu workshops are organized annually during Rongali Bihu, with approximately 1,000 participants, to promote and preserve traditional Assamese dance and music.
* The government actively sponsors and involves folk artists in the Hornbill and Sangai Festivals.
**Impact Analysis**
**Archaeological Survey of India**
* **Impact:** The Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for protection of 55 monuments and sites in Assam.
* **Action Required:** The Archaeological Survey of India has already recommended the Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath, for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
**Government of India (Ministry of Culture and Tourism)**
* **Impact:** The government has allocated funds for conservation efforts in Assam and is actively involved in promoting traditional festivals of the Northeastern region.
* **Action Required:** Continue promoting traditional and cultural festivals of the Northeastern region through various programs and organize Bihu workshops annually.
**Folk Artistes from the North Eastern Region**
* **Impact:** The folk artistes from the region benefit directly from Government involvement in the Hornbill and Sangai Festivals
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
UNESCO World Heritage List: The list of sites designated by UNESCO for having outstanding universal value, cultural or natural significance, and being important to the collective interests of humanity.
Majuli Island: A river island in Assam, India, whose inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is being discussed.
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
Assam: The state in India where Majuli Island is located and where funds are being allocated for conservation of heritage sites.
Archaeological Survey of India: Nodal body for UNESCO World Heritage matters in India, recommending sites for inclusion.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2311
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
INCLUSION OF HERITAGE SITES AND MAJULI ISLAND IN UNESCO LIST
2311. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:
SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:
Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has recommended any proposal to include heritage sites in the
UNESCO list and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the current status of proposals for the inclusion of Majuli Island in the UNESCO World
Heritage List;
(c) the details of the funds allocated and utilised for the conservation of Ahom-era
monuments, the Satras of Majuli and other major heritage sites in Assam during the last
five years and current year; and
(d) whether the Government has taken steps to integrate traditional festivals such as Bihu,
Hornbill, Sangai, Ambubachi Mela and the Ziro Festival of Music into India’s cultural
tourism circuit and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) Yes Sir. Archaeological Survey of India, nodal body on behalf of the Government of
India for UNESCO World Heritage related matters has recommended Ancient Buddhist
Site, Sarnath to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
(b) The river island of Majuli has been included in the Tentative List of the World Heritage
in 2004. As of now, there is no proposal to include the property in the list of World
Heritage.
(c) There are 55 monuments and sites protected in the state of Assam under the jurisdiction
of Archaeological Survey of India. This includes monuments from Ahom-era and other
major monuments.
The details of funds allocated and utilized for the conservation of the monuments in the
state of Assam including Ahom-era monuments and other major heritage sites is as
follows:
Year Allocated funds (in Lakhs) Expenditure (in Lakhs)
2020-21 257.98 257.98
2021-22 292.01 292.01
2022-23 625.55 625.55
2023-24 754.68 754.68
2024-25 379.57 379.57
2025-26 (till 09th 303.16 233.16
Dec 2025)
Government of India regularly promotes major traditional and cultural festivals of the
Northeastern region through its various programmes. The government organises Bihu
(d)
workshops every year during Rongali Bihu, with around 1,000 participants, to promote
and preserve the traditional dance and music of Assam. For Hornbill and Sangai
Festivals, Government of India actively participates by sponsoring and involving folk
artistes from the region.
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