Monument Mitra Scheme

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27-Jan-2023: Revamping Monument Mitra Scheme

Private firms will soon be able to partner with Archaeological Survey of India for the upkeep of 1,000 monuments under the Monument Mitra Scheme, which involves adopting and maintaining heritage sites.

Monument Mitra Scheme:

  • Entity partnering with government under 'Adopt A Heritage' project aims to develop monuments, heritage and tourist sites
  • Invites corporate entities, public sector companies or individuals to 'adopt' them
  • Revamped scheme based on Corporate Social Responsibility model
  • New website with names of all heritage sites to be launched

Heritage:

  • Buildings, artefacts, structures, areas and precincts of historic, aesthetic, architectural, ecological or cultural significance
  • Key concepts for determining heritage listing: historic significance, integrity, and context
  • In India, heritage comprises archaeological sites, remains, ruins
  • Primary custodian of 'Monuments and Sites' in India is ASI

Significance of Heritage:

  • Storytellers of Indian History
  • Embracing Diversity
  • Economic Contribution: Revenue generation through tourism-related activities such as accommodation, transportation, and souvenir sales

Heritage Management in India:

  • Lack of Centralised Database for Heritage Sites
  • INTACH inventory of 60,000 buildings in 150 cities
  • Heritage Encroachments
    • Example: Taj Mahal's premises near Khan-i-Alam's Bagh
  • Lack of Human Resource
    • ASI facing shortage of qualified and competent staff

Government initiatives related to heritage management:

  • National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), 2007
  • Project Mausam

Revamping heritage sites in India:

  • Heritage Impact Assessment for large infrastructure projects
  • Adjoining conservation projects to city master plans and Smart City Initiative
  • Using lesser-known monuments for cultural and wedding programmes to promote intangible heritage and increase visitor numbers
  • Linking heritage conservation with climate action, using historic sites to educate and develop adaptation and mitigation strategies