Parliament Question: Protection and conservation of monuments

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYASABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO.665 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026 PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF MONUMENTS 665. SHRI A. D. SINGH: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the number of centrally protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); (b) whether cases of encroachment, neglect or illegal construction have been reported around such monuments; and (c) the steps taken by Government to ensure their conservation, digital documentation and restoration under the National Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) or other schemes? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) There are 3686 protected monuments and protected areas (sites) across the country, which are looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). (b) There are cases of encroachments and illegal constructions reported in and around some protected monuments and protected areas (sites). Such cases are addressed through enforcement of the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959 thereof. (c) National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in January,20l5 with the aim to preserve and revitalize soul of the heritage cities to reflect the city's unique character by encouraging aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative and secured environment. To undertake strategic and planned development of heritage cities aiming at improvement in overall quality of life with specific focus on sanitation, security, tourism, heritage revitalization and livelihoods retaining the city's cultural identity. It was implemented in 12 cities namely Ajmer (Rajasthan), Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Amritsar (Punjab)" Badami (Karnataka), Dwarka (Gujarat), Gaya (Bihar), Kancheepuram and Velankanni (Tamil Nadu), Mathura and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Puri (Odisha), and Warangal (Telangana). The mission had ended on 31 March, 20l9. With regard to conservation or restoration of the protected monuments and areas (sites) is concerned, such works are taken up by ASI as per the need and requirement considering availability of funds and resources, following the national conservation policy, which is a continuous process. *****