Syllabus: GS– I & V: Heritage Conservation

Why in the News?

Recent data shows that 15 protected monuments in Northeast India are under illegal encroachment, with Assam alone accounting for 12 cases.

More About the Issue

India’s ancient monuments are under threat not just from neglect and nature, but from active illegal encroachment by human settlements, constructions, and commercial activities creeping into and around protected zones. As of March 2026, 414 centrally protected monuments across 24 states are affected.

• In the Northeast, four states — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tripura — have reported encroachment on 15 protected monuments.
• Assam, with 12 of the 15 encroached Northeast monuments, stands as a particularly alarming case; encroachment affects nearly 22% of Assam’s 55 ASI-protected monuments.
• Nationally, Karnataka leads with 60 encroached monuments, the highest count of any state in the country.
• A 2022 Parliamentary Standing Committee report found that only 9 encroachments had been removed across the entire country since 2015.
• A CAG report flagged that as many as 92 centrally protected monuments had gone ‘missing‘ (physically untraceable) due to urbanisation, dam submergence, and neglect.
• The same CAG report noted ASI had only 2,578 security guards for 248 sites against the required 7,000, a severe staffing gap that makes ground-level protection nearly impossible.

About the Archaeological Survey of India

• Founded in 1861 by Sir Alexander Cunningham, often called the ‘Father of Indian Archaeology.’
• Operates under: The Ministry of Culture, Government of India — as an attached office.
• Spearheaded by: A Director General who is also an ex-officio member of the National Monuments Authority (NMA).
• Headquartered at Dharohar Bhawan, 24 Tilak Marg, New Delhi.
• Currently protects over 3,600 centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites across India.
• Objectives:
  • Protection and preservation of ancient monuments and archaeological sites
  • Maintenance of national heritage structures
  • Conducting archaeological research and conservation work

Legal Framework

• • Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
    • Prohibits construction within protected and regulated areas
    • Empowers authorities to remove encroachments
  • The National Monuments Authority regulates activities near protected sites.

• Article 49, Constitution of India 

• • • Directs the state to protect every monument or place of artistic or historic interest declared to be of national importance from spoliation, disfigurement, destruction, removal, or export.

• Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972

• • Regulates the export trade of antiquities and prevents illegal removal or trade of artifacts from protected sites — also administered by ASI.

Why Encroachment is a Concern

• Leads to damage and loss of historical heritage
• Weakens cultural identity and tourism potential
• Reflects poor enforcement of heritage laws
• Creates conflict between development and conservation

Challenges

• Urban expansion and population pressure
• Lack of monitoring and enforcement capacity
• Limited public awareness about heritage protection
• Coordination issues between state governments and central agencies

Way Forward

• State governments must work in coordination with ASI and NMA to identify encroachments and initiate legally sound eviction drives, particularly in the Northeast where capacity is limited.
• Regular physical inspections of each protected monument by senior ASI officers — as recommended by the CAG — must be made mandatory and time-bound.
• Faster implementation of monument-specific heritage bye-laws by the National Monuments Authority.
• Geo-tagging and digital mapping of all protected monuments to create real-time surveillance against encroachments.
• Promote community participation in heritage conservation and integrate conservation with initiatives like heritage tourism development.

Exam Hook

Prelims Question:
With reference to protected monuments in India, consider the following:

1. They are managed by the Archaeological Survey of India
2. Construction is allowed within a fixed distance without restriction
3. They are protected under a specific central law

Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

One-line Wrap

Encroachment on protected monuments threatens not just structures, but India’s cultural memory and identity.

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