(THE GIST OF PIB) 50 centrally protected monuments ‘missing’

(January-2023)

As many as 50 of India’s 3,693 centrally protected monuments are missing, according to a submission made in Parliament by the Ministry of Culture.

Finding is part of a submission made by Ministry of Culture (MoC) to a Parliamentary
Standing Committee for a report titled ‘Issues relating to Untraceable Monuments and
Protection of Monuments in India’.
As per Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), these monuments have become untraceable
due to rapid urbanisation, submergence by reservoirs/dams, difficulties in tracing
in remote locations, non-availability of their proper location etc.
ASI, an attached office of MoC, is in charge of protection and maintenance of CPMs which have been declared so under provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.

Physical survey of all CPMs must mandatorily be carried out by ASI from time to time.
Thorough assessment of security requirements and budgetary allocation required for the same.
Involving Local Panchayats and police in safeguarding monuments.
Use satellite imagery to try and trace monuments which are untraceable at present.