Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian government's efforts, as of August 4, 2025, to preserve and restore ancient monuments and cultural heritage. It details initiatives by the Ministry of Culture through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and other organizations like Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) and Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). The document also outlines steps taken to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities, address cultural artifact theft, and incorporate cultural heritage into school curricula.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Preservation and Restoration of Monuments:**
* The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) oversees 3685 centrally protected monuments/sites.
* Conservation and maintenance are ongoing processes based on resource availability and the National Policy for Conservation, 2014.
* **Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH):**
* Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) conducts programs for documentation and digital archiving of performing arts and ICH elements.
* SNA conducts workshops for capacity building and awareness regarding ICH.
* Financial assistance is provided to organizations and individuals dedicated to preserving ICH.
* Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) document visual and performing arts in print and audio-visual formats.
* Sahitya Akademi promotes traditional art forms and cultural exchanges through the "Loka: The Many Voices" program.
* **Accessibility for People with Disabilities:**
* ASI aims to make establishments under its jurisdiction accessible, following the RPwD Act 2016.
* ASI adheres to accessibility standards and guidelines notified by the Ministry of Culture in 2023.
* **Addressing Theft of Cultural Artifacts:**
* The government has taken steps to prevent loot and illicit trafficking of cultural property.
* Security measures include watch and ward staff, private security, and Central Industrial Security Force deployment.
* FIRs are lodged and Look Out Notices issued for reported thefts.
* 610 artifacts have been retrieved from foreign countries in the last five years (2020-2024).
* **Incorporating Cultural Heritage into Education:**
* Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) is working with NCERT to integrate performing arts into the school curriculum.
Impact Analysis:
* **Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for ongoing conservation, preservation, and maintenance of protected monuments/sites. Must adhere to accessibility standards for people with disabilities.
* *Action Required:* Continue conservation efforts, implement accessibility guidelines, and maintain security at monuments/sites.
* **Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA):**
* *Impact:* Leads documentation and preservation efforts for intangible cultural heritage and integrates performing arts into education.
* *Action Required:* Continue ICH programs, conduct workshops, provide financial assistance, and collaborate with NCERT.
* **Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for research and documentation of visual and performing arts.
* *Action Required:* Continue documenting art forms in various formats and collaborate with State Cultural Departments.
* **Law Enforcement Agencies (including Customs):**
* *Impact:* Involved in preventing theft and illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts.
* *Action Required:* Vigilance to trace stolen artifacts, prevent export, and cooperate with recovery efforts.
* **NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training):**
* *Impact:* Works with SNA to incorporate cultural heritage and performing arts into the school curriculum.
* *Action Required:* Collaborate with SNA to integrate relevant content into the curriculum.
* **Ministry of Culture:**
* *Impact:* Oversees and coordinates efforts related to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
* *Action Required:* Provide resources and support for the various initiatives, and monitor their effectiveness.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: A government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of culture in India.
Archaeological Survey of India ASI: The primary organization in India responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments.
National Policy for Conservation, 2014: A policy document outlining the guidelines and principles for the conservation of cultural heritage in India.
Sangeet Natak Akademi SNA: An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture that promotes and preserves the performing arts of India.
Intangible Cultural Heritage ICH: Refers to the non-physical aspects of culture, such as traditions, languages, performing arts, and oral histories.
Zonal Cultural Centres ZCCs: Regional cultural centers across India that promote and preserve visual and performing arts.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016: Indian legislation protecting the rights and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Abbreviated as RPwD Act 2016
National Council of Educational Research and Training NCERT: An autonomous organisation of the Government of India which provides guidance and support to the states in the field of school education.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2487
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS
2487. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of specific schemes or initiatives to support the preservation and restoration of
ancient monuments and historical sites;
(b) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to document and preserve the country's
rich intangible cultural heritage, including folk music, dance and other performing arts;
(c) the details of the plans to enhance the accessibility of cultural heritage sites and institutions
for people with disabilities;
(d) the details of the steps taken/being taken to address the issue of theft/loot of cultural artifacts
and to ensure their safe return to the country along with the number of such artifacts brought
back during each of the last five years; and
(e) the details of the efforts made by the Government to ensure that cultural heritage is being
incorporated Into the curriculum of schools and educational institutions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) There are 3685 centrally protected monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) in the country. Conservation, preservation and maintenance of these
centrally protected monuments/sites is a continuous process and is taken up as per the
requirement and availability of resources subject to the Rules and terms of National Policy for
Conservation, 2014.
(b) Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture,
conducts various programmes for documentation & digital archiving of performing arts and
other Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements on a regular basis. These efforts contribute
towards the digital preservation of the ICH. In addition, regular workshops are carried out
for capacity building and raising awareness about ICH. Financial assistance is also provided
to organizations, civil society groups, local communities and individuals dedicated to
preserving and promoting ICH elements. Similarly Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) across
India conduct Research & Documentation for the preservation and promotion of visual and
performing arts across disciplines like music, dance, theatre, literature and fine arts. This
initiative documents these traditions in both print and audio visual formats, with the selection
of art forms done in consultation with State Cultural Departments.
Further, Sahitya Akademi promotes traditional art forms and cultural exchanges at theFurther, Sahitya Akademi promotes traditional art forms and cultural exchanges at the
grassroots level through its series of programme called “Loka: The Many Voices”, a
programme consisting of lectures as well as demonstrations. The programme was conceived
to protect and preserve the folk and tribal art and culture of the country.
(c) It is ASI's responsibility to make the establishments under its jurisdiction as accessible as
possible, aiming to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and prevent discrimination,
while emphasizing the right to equality, dignity, and respect for all persons with disabilities to
ensure their full participation in society. Therefore, for effective implementation of the
provision of the RPwD Act 2016, ASI follows the accessibility standards and guidelines, as
notified by the Ministry of Culture in 2023, at protected monuments, sites, and site museums.
(d) The Government has taken necessary steps towards the prevention of loot and illicit
trafficking of cultural property. Besides regular watch and ward staff, Private Security Guards
and Central Industrial Security Force have been deployed as per requirement at monuments,
sites and museums. Whenever any theft of antiquity is reported, FIR is lodged and ‘Look Out
Notice’ is issued to law enforcement agencies including Custom Exit Channels to keep vigil
to trace stolen antiquity and prevent its export. Details of the antiquities retrieved from
foreign countries in last five years are annexed as ‘Annexure A’.
(e) Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) has engaged with NCERT officials to explore various
elements of ICH and the integration of performing arts into the school curriculum.Annexure-I
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2487 FOR 04.08.2025
Details of artifacts brought back during the last five years
S. Year Country Artifacts brought back Year-wise Total
No.
1. 2020 Australia 03 08
UK 05
2. 2021 UK 01 159
Canada 01
USA 157
3. 2022 Australia 29 30
UK 01
4. 2023 Australia 02 115
UK 07
USA 105
Italy 01
5. 2024 Thailand 01 298
USA 297
Total 610
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