Lok Sabha Question No. 2013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-28
Subject: Project Mausam
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2013 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.11.2016

## PROJECT MAUSAM

## 2013. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  objectives  and  detailed  outline  of  Project  Mausam  with  its  expected  time  of commencement and completion along with the cost of the project;
- (b) whether the Government has entered into partnerships with other nations and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons  therefor; and
- (c) the  expected  contribution  of  Project  Mausam  in  enhancing  Cultural  cooperation between India and Other Maritime countries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Project  'Mausam'  is  the  initiative  of  Ministry  of  Culture  to  be  implemented  by  the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support of the  Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts  (IGNCA)  and  National  Museum  as associate bodies. This project aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean 'world' - collating archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity of  cultural,  commercial  and  religious  interactions  in  the  Indian  Ocean  -  extending from East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent and Sri Lanka to the  Southeast  Asian  archipelago.  It  also  aims  to  promote  research  on  themes related to the study of Maritime Routes through international scientific seminars and meetings and by adopting a multidisciplinary approach. The project encourages the production of specialized works, as well as publications for the general public with an  attempt  at  promoting  a  broader  understanding  of  the  concept  of  a  common heritage and multiple identities. Main objective of the project is to prepare a dossier for  trans-national  nomination  as  World  Heritage.  Project  Mausam  commenced  in April 2015 and its completion is scheduled in March, 2017.  Total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 150, 244, 502/-.
- (b) The Government has identified 39 countries (list given in Annexure-I) to bring on board for trans-national  nomination for World Heritage  but  so far  has  not  entered into partnerships.
- (c) The  project  'Mausam'  will  promote  cultural  relations  with  several  countries  in  the Indian Ocean region and will fill in gaps in understanding history from African, Asian and Arab world perspectives. It will address the existing gap in archaeological and historical  research  on  coastal  sites  and  their  hinterlands  and  will  contribute  to prepare a dossier for trans-national nomination for inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2013 FOR 28.11.2016.

List of 39 Indian Ocean countries identified under Project Mausam:

|   1 | Bahrain                     |
|-----|-----------------------------|
|   2 | Bangladesh                  |
|   3 | Cambodia                    |
|   4 | China                       |
|   5 | Comoros                     |
|   6 | Egypt                       |
|   7 | Eritrea                     |
|   8 | Réunion, French Department  |
|   9 | Indonesia                   |
|  10 | Iraq                        |
|  11 | Iran (Islamic Republic)     |
|  12 | Jordan                      |
|  13 | Kuwait                      |
|  14 | Kenya                       |
|  15 | Lebanon                     |
|  16 | Madagascar                  |
|  17 | Malaysia                    |
|  18 | Maldives                    |
|  19 | Mauritius                   |
|  20 | Mozambique                  |
|  21 | Myanmar                     |
|  22 | Oman                        |
|  23 | Pakistan                    |
|  24 | Philippines                 |
|  25 | Qatar                       |
|  26 | Singapore                   |
|  27 | Sri Lanka                   |
|  28 | Saudi Arabia                |
|  29 | Seychelles                  |
|  30 | Somalia                     |
|  31 | South Africa                |
|  32 | Sudan                       |
|  33 | Syrian Arab Republic        |
|  34 | United Republic of Tanzania |
|  35 | Thailand                    |
|  36 | Turkey                      |
|  37 | United Arab Emirates        |
|  38 | Viet Nam                    |
|  39 | Yemen                       |