There are 3686 protected monuments and areas across the country maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Cases of encroachments and illegal constructions around these sites are addressed through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959. The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme, launched in January 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, aimed to preserve and revitalize the soul of heritage cities. It focused on sanitation, security, tourism, heritage revitalization and livelihoods, and was implemented in 12 cities: Ajmer, Amaravati, Amritsar, Badami, Dwarka, Gaya, Kancheepuram, Velankanni, Mathura, Varanasi, Puri, and Warangal. The HRIDAY mission concluded on March 31, 2019. The ASI undertakes conservation and restoration works based on need, requirements, fund availability, and resources, following the national conservation policy. This information was provided by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The release ID is 2223734, and the visitor counter is 121.
Key Entities Referenced
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Agency responsible for looking after protected monuments and areas across the country.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958: Act under which encroachments and illegal constructions around protected monuments are addressed.
National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme: Scheme launched to preserve and revitalize the soul of heritage cities.
Ministry of Culture
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF
MONUMENTS
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 3:20PM by PIB Delhi
There are 3686 protected monuments and protected areas (sites) across the country, which are looked after
by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
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.
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.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today
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M Annadurai
(Release ID: 2223734) Visitor Counter : 121
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