Lok Sabha Question No. 1116 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Conservation and Promotion of Nashik’s Cultural and Archaeological Heritage
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1116

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## CONSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF NASHIK'S CULTURAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE

## 1116. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE::

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  recognizes  Nashik's  immense  archaeological  and  cultural significance, with its ancient temples, forts, heritage sites and the Godavari river and if so, the steps taken by the Government for their conservation, restoration and repairs;
- (b) whether  the  Government  acknowledges  the  importance  of  preserving  Nashik's    rich cultural  heritage,  particularly  in  light  of  the  upcoming  Kumbh  Mela  2027  and  if  so, whether substantial funds will be allocated for this purpose;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  of  ongoing  and  proposed  projects  for  the  conservation  of  Nashik's cultural and archaeological sites, along with timelines for their completion;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to establish a regional centre of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Nashik, given its historical and cultural importance, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to provide additional support and resources to local bodies and stakeholders for effective conservation efforts, ensuring  community involvement and expert guidance, if so, the detail thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  takes  all  necessary  steps  towards  conservation and maintenance work, including provision of amenities, at 11 protected monuments/sites  in  Nashik  District of Maharashtra  as  per the  requirement  and availability of resources.
- (b) Conservation  and  preservation  of  the  protected  monument  is  a  continuous  process. Adequate funds  are  allotted  as  per  the  requirements  of  the  protected  monuments  and approved  Annual  Conservation  Programme  (ACP)  for  the  upkeep  of  the  protected monuments.
- (c) The  details  of  conservation,  and  maintenance  work  carried  out  at  centrally  protected monuments of Nashik District are attached at Annexure - I.

- (d) No such proposal is under consideration of Government.
- (e) ASI  undertakes  conservation  and  developmental  works  on  the  Monuments,  which  in turn  generate  opportunities  of  employment  for  local  manpower  as  well  as  skilled craftsmen/artisans,  thus  ensuring  community  involvement.  Also,  as  per  requirement, ASI takes the assistance of organisations of repute such as IITs/CBRI (Central Building Research Institute) for specific studies.

## Annexure-I

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 1116 FOR 10.02.2025.

The  details  of  conservation  and  maintenance  work  carried  out  at  centrally  protected monuments of Nashik District

## 2019-20

| Name of Monument                                      | Name of Works                                                                                                |
|-------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Pandavlena caves                                      | Providing Tourist Facilities Like Benches, Dust-bins, Signages etc at Pandavlena caves at Nashik,Dist-Nashik |
|                                                       | Providing rain water drains & repairs to cave no-13 to 24 at Pandav Lena caves, Nashik                       |
|                                                       | Providing approach pathway & steps from bottom of hillock towards the hill top of Pandavlena caves, Nashik   |
| Old group of temples (1-15) at Anjaner, Dist - Nashik | Repairs and conservation of Old group of temples (1-15) at Anjaner, Dist - Nashik                            |
| Old group of temples (1-15) at Anjaner, Dist - Nashik | Restoration & conservation of temple nos. 4,5,13,15&16 at Old group of temple at Anjaner, Dist - Nashik      |

## 2020-21

| Name of Monument                              | Name of Works                                                                                              |
|-----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Pandavlena caves, Nashik                      | Providing approach pathway & steps from bottom of hillock towards the hill top of Pandavlena caves, Nashik |
| Old group of temple (1-15) at Anjaneri Nashik | Old group of temple (1-15) at Anjaneri Nashik                                                              |

## 2021-22

| Name of Monument                               | Name of Works                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Hindu temple at Deothan, Dist. Nashik .        | Conservation of Hindu temple at Deothan.                                                                       |
| Old group of temples at Anjaneri, Dist. Nashik | Repairs to Old group of temples at Anjaneri.                                                                   |
| Pandavlena caves at Nashik                     | Providing approach pathway and steps from bottom to hillock towards the hill top of Pandavlena caves at Nashik |
| Pandavlena caves at Nashik                     | Providing rain water drain and repairs to caves no. 13 to 24 at Pandavlena caves at Nashik                     |

## 2022-23

| Name of Monument        | Name of Works                                                          |
|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Old group of temples at | SR to old group of temples at Anjaneri, Dist.-Nashik (Group-01, Temple |

| Anjaneri, Dist.-Nashik                      | no.-06)                                                                        |
|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Anjaneri, Dist.-Nashik                      | SR to old group of temples at Anjaneri, Dist.-Nashik (Group-02, Temple no.-01) |
| PandavlenaCaves, Dist. Nashik               | Providing tourist facilities at Pandavlena Caves, Nashik                       |
| Gondeshwar temple at Sinnar, Dist- Nashik . | Public amenities at Gondeshwar temple at Sinnar, Dist - Nashik                 |

## 2023-24

| Name of Monument                         | Name of Works                                                                                   |
|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Aishwar temple at Sinnar, Dist- Nashik . | MW(P) Providing M.S. grill fencing to protected area at Aishwar temple at Sinner, Dist - Nashik |
| Aishwar temple at Sinnar, Dist- Nashik . | MWto Public amenities at Aishwar temple at Sinnar, Dist - Nashik                                |
| Ankai caves, Dist- Nashik .              | MW(P) Tourist facilities at Ankai caves at Manmad, Dist - Nashik                                |
| Pandavlena caves, Dist - Nashik          | Construction of toilet at Pandavlena caves at Nashik                                            |
| Pandavlena caves, Dist - Nashik          | MW to Construction of retaining wall and pathway beyond cave no. 25 Pandavlena caves at Nashik  |
| Hindu temple at Devthan                  | Conservation of Hindu temple at Devthandist - Nashik                                            |
| Old group of temples at Anjaneri         | Repairs to Old group of temples at Anjaneri.                                                    |