**Summary:**
The Ministry of Culture encourages private participation in the conservation of heritage sites in India, supplementing the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which protects nationally important monuments and archaeological sites. State governments, local bodies, and other stakeholders are also encouraged to participate in preserving local heritage. The National Cultural Fund (NCF) scheme promotes private involvement in conservation. ASI has established a framework for public-private partnerships, utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to develop amenities at protected monuments. The "Adopt a Heritage program 2.0," launched on September 4, 2023, by the Union Minister of Culture, aims to enhance visitor experience and make monuments more visitor-friendly. ASI undertakes conservation and maintenance, including providing amenities such as drinking water, toilet blocks, pathways, and landscaping, based on fund availability, resources, and the National Conservation Policy. Upkeep and maintenance of protected monuments and sites is an ongoing process. This information was provided by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha. For further information, contact Sunil Kumar Tiwari at pibcultureatgmaildotcom. Release ID: 2155151.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in India.
National Cultural Fund (NCF): A fund established to encourage private participation in the conservation of protected monuments and sites.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A framework for private sector companies to develop/provide amenities at protected monuments.
Adopt A Heritage program 2.0: A program launched to enhance visitor experience at monuments.
National Conservation Policy: A policy followed by ASI for conservation and maintenance works.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister for Culture and Tourism
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Culture
Private Participation in Conservation of Heritage
Sites
Posted On: 11 AUG 2025 6:05PM by PIB Delhi
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protects monuments and archaeological sites that have been
declared asof national importance. However, given the vast cultural landscape of India, state governments,
local bodies, and other stakeholders are also encouraged to play a role in protecting and preserving local
heritage.
Conservation of protected monuments and sites is also taken up under scheme of National Cultural Fund
(NCF)to encourage the private participation. Further, ASI has developed a framework for engaging with the
private/public sector companies to develop/provide amenities at protected monuments through Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Revamped version of the “Adopt A Heritage program 2.0” was launched
on 04.09.2023 by Union Minister of Culture to enhance visitor’s experience with a view to make the
monuments visitor friendly.
ASI takes up conservation and maintenance works including provision of amenities like drinking water, toilet
blocks, pathways and landscaping etc. of protected monuments and sites of national importance as per the
requirement considering availability of funds and resources and following the National Conservation Policy.
Further, upkeep and maintenance of the protected monuments and sites is a continuous process.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a
written reply in Lok Sabha today.
***
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2155151)