Kolkata, July 21, 2025

 

In a written reply to the unstarred question raised by MP Shri Jagannath Sarkar in the Lok Sabha today, on whether the ruins of Fort at Bamanpukur in Nadia district, West Bengal State declared a monument of national importance in 1920; if so, the reasons for the monument becoming untraceable and the specific challenges faced in its preservation; the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to locate and restore the monument, including any recent surveys or excavations conducted in the area; whether the Government has identified other monuments in West Bengal or across the country that are untraceable or have vanished and if so, the details thereof  and the details of the measures being implemented to prevent further loss of such culturally significant sites, including improvements in monitoring, documentation and community engagement, the Union Minister for Culture & Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the ruins of  Fort at Bamanpukur is a monument of national importance under active protection and control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Union Minister elaborated that no monument from the State of West Bengal has been reported as untraceable or vanished. However, a recent review by the ASI had identified 18 monuments across the country which have ceased to be of national importance and have been delisted vide notification No. 2974 (E) dated July 1, 2025 and 5178(E) 02.12.2024.

Shri Shekhawat added that the ASI has undertaken several measures to prevent the loss of protected monuments and areas. Officers of the ASI conduct periodic visits to protected monuments and areas within their jurisdiction to assess their conservation status and to determine necessary repairs and maintenance. Additionally, ASI is improving monument documentation through digital records and condition mapping. Further, ASI conducts cultural awareness programmes to educate and engage local communities in heritage conservation efforts.

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