A total 3686 number of protected monuments and protected areas (sites) are declared under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act,1958) across the country. The monument-wise notification along with dates issued through official Gazette notifications are in public domain such as egazette (https://egazette.gov.in), abhilekh patal (https://www.abhilekh-patal.in), Centre and State Archives, etc. Instances of unauthorised constructions in the prohibited and regulated areas around such monuments have been identified at various locations. Action has been taken as per the Act and related rules, which includes issuance of notices, stoppage of construction, demolition of illegal structures, and coordination with local authorities to prevent further violations.

No protected monument or protected area (sites) is untraceable at present.

The Cultural Notice Boards (CNB) are placed at selected monuments where visitor’s footfall is high. Installed CNBs are sometimes get damage due to various factors or information gets faded in course of time. These CNBs are provided on requirement basis which is a continuous process.   

Out of 3686 protected monuments and protected areas (sites) entry fee is applicable at only 143. The conservation and restoration of protected monuments and protected areas (sites) is a continuous process undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as per need and requirement, subject to availability of funds and resources, and in accordance with the National Conservation Policy. Both ticketed and non-ticketed monuments are covered under this process. There is no separate classification of monuments based on the requirement of conservation or restoration.

All the protected monuments and protected areas are similarly governed under the provisions of AMASR Act, 1958.

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