Date: 02/09/2022

Relevance: GS-1: Indian Heritage and Culture, salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Key Phrases: Anang Tal, Monuments Of national importance, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Monuments Authority (NMA), The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

Context:

• Recently, the Ministry of Culture issued a gazette notification declaring Anang Tal Lake located near Qutub Minar in South Delhi as a monument of national importance under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

What is the current status of Anang Tal Lake?

• Despite being a site of historical importance the reservoir today has been reduced to a pitiable state.
• The Comptroller Auditor General’s performance audit on Preservation and Conservation of Monuments and Antiquities that was tabled in Parliament recently shows that
  • The Anang Tal is in dire state and in the last stage of disappearance
  • The report also revealed that sewage from nearby areas was being discharged into the reservoir

Indian heritage sites: CAG audit is a must for preservation

• The CAG reports on the state of India’s heritage released over the years related with different issues such as CAG report on museums (2011), on findings of ASI (2013) are the most comprehensive public documents.
• These reports along with reports of Parliamentary Committees are the only sources today for understanding the state of Indian archaeology, monuments and museums.
• Therefore these documents are essential because after 2007, there has been no internal audit of the ASI conducted by the Cultural ministry.

What are the key findings of 2022 report?

• The CAG report categorically notes that there is no national policy on archaeological exploration and excavation which seems to be true for antiquities as well.
• The ASI has estimated about 58 lakh plus antiquities all over India, but there is no database or inventory in its possession.
• The budget of ASI, the primary institutional guardian of monuments is reduced by 200 crores in 2021-22 whose total budget stood at about ₹ 1200 crores.
  • Also the budget for exploration and excavations is less than 1 percent of total budget which was supposed to be 5% as informed to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Lack of synergy between the different conservation agencies

• The National Culture Fund, which allows individuals and corporate groups to fund conservation, has utilized only 14 percent of its funds because of the lack of coordination with the ASI.
• The National Monuments Authority which implements heritage by-laws and site plans for each monument has notified only 31 monuments and about 210 are in finalization state which is a fraction of the 3,693 monuments on the list of Centrally Protected Monuments.
• Coupled with the Union government is pushing to amend the AMASAR act which will drastically reduce the prohibited and regulatory areas around monuments.
  • This will minimize the security net around monuments which would endanger them.
  • Also this may lead to redundancy in the heritage laws thus damaging the heritage forever.
• The report reveals that the ASI, in many cases, has been working in violation of the provisions of the Monuments (AMASR) Act.
  • For e.g. at Humayun’s tomb, a CAG inspection revealed that commercial construction was being undertaken in the prohibited area without the knowledge of the ASI or the NMA.

The ASI needs a reboot

• It is claimed that the poor state of conservation at ASI-protected sites and the lack of follow-up are causes of grave concern for the monumental sites
  • The Buddhist stupa site of Kanaganahalli in Karnataka highlights the glaring shortcomings of ASI’s protection claims
  • In the earlier reports and in the current audit it is revealed that precious carved panels were still lying scattered in the open.
  • The cement beds created at the open shed for placing artefacts had cracked.
  • The site, which is spread over some 23 acres, was covered with thick vegetation and grass which is a fire hazard in the dry season.
  • The CCTV camera installed at the site was not functioning while the lighting was inadequate.
• These observations demand a quick reboot to the conservation methodology of ASI.

Conclusion

• The CAG report’s observations highlight the abysmal state of affairs of monument conservation in the country; and demand quick, decisive, and timely actions to keep the Indian history and heritage alive for future generations.
• Therefore the need of the hour is to strengthen conservation institutions through enhancing their financial and human resources rather than amending the laws which will weaken the heritage conservation framework of the country.

Source: Indian Express

Mains Question:

Q. “Preserve cultural heritage, it defines the national identity of a country”, in view of the statement underline the conservation challenges before Indian heritage sites and suggest ways to tackle them. (250 words).