Source: pib.nic.in
INDIA, June 2, 2010: The “Report to the People 2009-10” was released by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on June 1st. The report stated, “In a major intervention to further safeguard India’s priceless monuments and archaeological sites, the Central government has recently amended the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, which prohibits construction, including public projects, within the 100 meter ‘prohibited area’. It has also been stipulated that Heritage Bye-laws shall be prepared for each of these protected monuments so as to regulate building activities in the next 200 meter ‘regulated area’ that lies beyond the 100 meter ‘prohibited area'”.
Strict provisions have been introduced to ensure that the ever-increasing threats to monuments of national importance are arrested and its proper enforcement would ensure that India’s valuable cultural heritage is better preserved and protected.
[HPI note: The recent collapse of the Srikalahasti temple’s gopuram is still a subject of much debate in India. New developmetns may follow soon.]