ASI to survey protected monuments

CHENNAI: With the enactment of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains, Amendment and Validation Act 2010, (AMASRA) , a survey of all the monuments and sites preserved and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be conducted soon.

This survey will be the first step towards checking encroachments and other violations done within the prohibited and regulated areas of ASI-protected monuments, archaeological sites and remains, against which action will be initiated.

“Under the AMASRA, fine for construction in the prohibited area of an ASI protected monument, archaeological site and remains would be up to Rs 1 lakh or imprisonment up to two years, or both,” said Sathyabama Bhadhreenath, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Chennai Circle.

Any construction within the regulated area, without prior permission, will also command similar penalty. Also, officials, who do not take proper action in stopping such illegal construction, can be awarded a punishment of imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to Rs 1 lakh or both.

Hundred metres around the protected site have been earmarked as prohibited area, while 200 metres around the prohibited area is the regulated area. The Act also makes it mandatory for local bodies to share details on unauthorised constructions in prohibited and regulated areas of protected sites, after June 1992. Heritage bye-laws will also have to be prepared for every monument. Until the bye-laws are in position, all construction within the regulated areas will be stopped.

A complete survey of all the 3685 ASI protected heritage monuments in the country will be taken up soon, said the Superintending Archaeologist.