The AMASR Act: Govt to ease rules on construction around protected monuments

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is the AMASR Act 1958?
• What is the AMASR (Amendment) Act 2010?
• News Summary Regarding Possible Changes in the AMASR Act

Why in News?

The government will soon liberalise construction activity in the vicinity of protected monuments across the country regulated under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains (AMASR) Act.

• Currently, construction up to 100 metres around protected monuments is prohibited, while an area up to 200 metres beyond the prohibited area is regulated.

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What is the AMASR Act 1958?

It provides for the –

• Preservation (of ancient and historical monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance, which are over 100 years old)
• Regulation (of archaeological excavations)
• Protection (of sculptures, carvings and other like objects).
• 3,696 Centrally Protected Monuments or Sites are located in India and are guarded by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) – a Ministry of Culture agency, which functions under the provisions of this act.

What is the AMASR (Amendment) Act 2010?

• In order to strengthen the penal provisions to prevent encroachments and illegal construction close to the monuments, the 1958 Act was amended in 2010.
• The amendments provide for the creation of a
  • Prohibited area 100 metre around every national monument where no construction, public or private is permitted.
  • Regulated area 200 metres beyond the prohibited area, where any construction requires permission of a newly constituted National Monuments Authority (NMA).
• The amendment also suggested that heritage by-laws for each monument be created by an expert body given the uniqueness of each monument.

Image Caption: The AMASR Act

News Summary Regarding Possible Changes in the AMASR Act

• According to a submission by the Union Culture Minister, the government has taken a decision to examine the legal issues affecting construction-related activities around centrally protected monuments and sites.
• This is to allow for infrastructure (related work), and at the same time preserve the rich heritage of the country.
• There is a feeling that the Act in its present form restricts a lot of areas which could be put to good use, specifically in case of developmental and infrastructure-related work.
  • Prohibiting residents from constructing their houses within 100 metres of small and insignificant structures, causing a lot of inconveniences and revenue loss to them.
• It is expected that the amendments would pertain to making some relaxation in these zones, specifically in case of smaller monuments such as statues, cemeteries and cannons.
• Even as the government can bring about liberalisation in case of most monuments, for UNESCO World Heritage Sites (India has 40 of them), these restrictions may stay. 

Q1) What is the National Monuments Authority (NMA)?

NMA under the Ministry of Culture has been set up as per provisions of the AMASR (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.  It considers grant of permissions to applicants for construction-related activity in the prohibited and regulated area.

Q2) What is a World Heritage Site?

It is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the UNESCO. These are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance. The sites are judged to contain “cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity”.

Source: Govt to ease rules on construction around protected monuments | Indiaculture.nic.in | CNBCTV18