Lok Sabha Question No. 1031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Project Mausam
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1031

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

SHRAVANA 5, 1937 (SAKA)

**PROJECT MAUSAM**

**1031. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI :**

Will the **Minister of CULTURE** be pleased to state:

1. the countries with which the Government proposes to revive historic maritime cultural and economic ties under ‘Project Mausam’;

1. whether any action has been taken by the Government to implement this proposal;

1. if so, the details thereof including the response from the concerned nations to such an initiative;

1. whether the Government has formulated a plan for achieving a World Heritage transnational nomination  for ‘Indian Ocean Maritime Routes’; and

1. if so, the details thereof including the proposal for funding the mission of the nomination?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)  AND MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION**

**(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)**

1. The list of countries with which the Government proposes to establish cross cultural linkages and to revive historic maritime cultural and economic ties under ‘Project Mausam’ is given in **Annexure I** .

-2-

1. & (c) Yes, Madam. Project ‘Mausam’ was launched in the 38 th Session of World Heritage Committee meeting which was held at Doha,Qatar in June 2014 and since then it has received positive response from countries such as China, UAE, Qatar, Myanmar, Iran and Vietnam. Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration with State Govt. of  Kerala organized a National Conference on Project ‘Mausam’ in Kochi in November 2014.Indira Gandhi National Centre for Art (IGNCA) has constituted an Academic Committee and a temporary research unit in this regard.

4. & (e) The Government has formulated action plan for achieving a World Heritage transnational nomination for ‘Indian Ocean Maritime Routes. The plan envisages joint initiative of India and various member states for implementation of UNESCO Cultural Conventions of World Heritage and Intangible culture. It further promotes joint research and selection of appropriate sites to prepare application of trans-national nomination of Maritime Routes &Coastal Cultural Landscape sites.  Adequate funds for these activities are available.

**ANNEXURE-I**

**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1031 FOR 27.07.2015 RAISED BY SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI REGARDING PROJECT MAUSAM.**

Ministry of Culture, Government of India has proposed to revive historic maritime cultural and economic ties with the following **39 Indian Ocean countries** under Project Mausam:

| 1      | Bahrain                     |
|--------|-----------------------------|
| 2      | Bangladesh                  |
| 3      | Cambodia                    |
| 4      | China                       |
| 5      | Comoros  Egypt              |
| 6      |                             |
| 7      | Eritrea                     |
| 8      | Réunion, French Department  |
| 9      | Indonesia                   |
| 10     | Iraq                        |
| 11     | Iran (Islamic Republic of ) |
| 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  32 | South Africa  Sudan         |
| 33     | Syrian Arab Republic        |
| 34     | United Republic of Tanzania |
| 35     | Thailand                    |
| 36     | Turkey                      |
| 37     | United Arab Emirates        |
| 38     | Viet Nam                    |
| 39     | Yemen                       |