Lok Sabha Question No. 2487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Preservation and Restoration of Ancient Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2487

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS

## 2487. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  specific  schemes  or  initiatives  to  support  the  preservation  and  restoration  of ancient monuments and historical sites;
- (b) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to document and preserve the country's rich intangible cultural heritage, including folk music, dance and other performing arts;
- (c) the details of the plans to enhance the accessibility of cultural heritage sites and institutions for people with disabilities;
- (d) the details of the steps taken/being taken to address the issue of theft/loot of cultural artifacts and to ensure their safe return to the country along with the number of such artifacts brought back during each of the last five years; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  cultural  heritage  is  being incorporated Into the curriculum of schools and educational institutions?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There are 3685 centrally protected monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the country. Conservation, preservation  and maintenance  of these centrally  protected  monuments/sites  is  a  continuous  process  and  is  taken  up  as  per  the requirement and availability of resources subject to the Rules and terms of National Policy for Conservation, 2014.
- (b) Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  (SNA),  an  autonomous  organization  under  Ministry  of  Culture, conducts various programmes for documentation & digital archiving of performing arts and other Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements on a regular basis. These efforts contribute towards the digital preservation of the ICH.   In addition, regular workshops are carried out for capacity building and raising awareness   about ICH.  Financial assistance is also provided to  organizations,  civil  society  groups,  local  communities  and  individuals  dedicated  to preserving  and  promoting  ICH  elements.  Similarly  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  across India conduct Research & Documentation for the preservation and promotion of visual and performing  arts  across  disciplines  like  music,  dance,  theatre,  literature  and  fine  arts.  This initiative documents these traditions in both print and audio visual formats, with the selection of art forms done in consultation with State Cultural Departments.

Further,  Sahitya  Akademi  promotes  traditional  art  forms  and  cultural  exchanges  at  the

Further,  Sahitya  Akademi  promotes  traditional  art  forms  and  cultural  exchanges  at  the grassroots  level  through  its  series  of programme  called  'Loka:  The  Many    Voices',  a programme consisting of lectures as well as demonstrations.  The programme was conceived to protect and preserve the folk and tribal art and culture of the country.

- (c) It  is  ASI's  responsibility  to  make  the  establishments  under  its  jurisdiction  as  accessible  as possible, aiming to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and prevent discrimination, while emphasizing the right to equality, dignity, and respect for all persons with disabilities to ensure  their  full  participation  in  society.  Therefore,  for  effective  implementation  of  the provision of the RPwD Act 2016, ASI follows the accessibility standards and guidelines, as notified by the Ministry of Culture in 2023, at protected monuments, sites, and site museums.
- (d) The  Government  has    taken  necessary  steps  towards  the  prevention  of  loot  and  illicit trafficking of cultural property. Besides regular watch and ward staff, Private Security Guards and Central Industrial Security Force have been deployed as per requirement at monuments, sites and museums. Whenever any theft of antiquity is reported, FIR is lodged and 'Look Out Notice' is issued to law enforcement agencies including Custom Exit Channels to keep vigil to  trace  stolen  antiquity  and  prevent  its  export.  Details  of  the  antiquities  retrieved  from foreign countries in last five years are annexed as 'Annexure A'.
- (e) Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  (SNA)  has  engaged  with  NCERT  officials  to  explore  various elements of ICH and the integration of performing arts into the school curriculum.

Annexure-I

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (d)  OF  THE  LOK    SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2487 FOR 04.08.2025

Details of artifacts brought back during the last five years

| S. No.   | Year   | Country   | Artifacts brought back   | Year-wise Total   |
|----------|--------|-----------|--------------------------|-------------------|
| 1.       | 2020   | Australia | 03                       | 08                |
| 1.       |        | UK        | 05                       |                   |
| 2.       | 2021   | UK        | 01                       | 159               |
| 2.       |        | Canada    | 01                       |                   |
| 2.       |        | USA       | 157                      |                   |
| 3.       | 2022   | Australia | 29                       | 30                |
| 3.       |        | UK        | 01                       |                   |
| 4.       | 2023   | Australia | 02                       | 115               |
| 4.       |        | UK        | 07                       |                   |
| 4.       |        | USA       | 105                      |                   |
| 4.       |        | Italy     | 01                       |                   |
| 5.       | 2024   | Thailand  | 01                       | 298               |
| 5.       |        | USA       | 297                      |                   |
|          | Total  | Total     | Total                    | 610               |

- -----