Giving information on how many ancient monuments and archaeological sites are there in the country, the responsibility of guarding which is with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and whether any historical sites are missing, the Central Government said that ASI looks after the conservation of more than 3 and a half thousand sites. It was also acknowledged that illegal constructions have been done around many sites.
The government told the Rajya Sabha in response to a question on Thursday that there are a total of 3,686 sites under ASI across the country, and no protected monument or site is “missing” “at present”. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his written reply, also said, “A total of 3,686 protected monuments and protected areas (sites) have been declared under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 across the country.”
He informed that monument-wise notifications with dates issued through official gazette notifications are in the public domain, such as e-gazettes, “Abhilek Patal” portals, and in the archives of the central and state governments.
The Union Minister was also asked about “any missing protected monuments”, last recorded locations, reasons for disappearance and steps taken or proposed to locate and restore them, to which Shekhawat said, “At present no protected monuments or protected sites are untraceable.” ASI sites are protected under the AMASR Act, 1958.
However, Tourism Minister Shekhawat, in his reply, admitted that “cases of illegal construction” have been found at “different places” in restricted and regulated areas around centrally protected monuments.
He said action has been taken against them as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, and related rules, which include issuing notices, stopping construction, demolishing illegal structures and coordinating with local authorities to prevent further violations.
Shekhawat was also asked to provide information about ticketed and non-ticketed protected monuments and monuments where no conservation or restoration work has been done, to which she said, “Out of 3,686 protected monuments and protected areas (sites), entry fees are applicable only at 143 sites.”
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)'s Performance Audit Report 2013 stated that 92 protected monuments were found missing, but 74 of them were located, while a survey conducted by the ASI through different field offices revealed that 18 protected monuments and sites were no longer in good condition. The Center had informed the Parliament about this in December 2023. ASI also has the responsibility of protecting centrally protected monuments.
However, Union Minister Shekhawat had earlier said in December 2024 in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Performance Audit Report (18 of 2013) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said that 92 protected monuments were missing. Later, ASI survey revealed that 18 protected monuments and sites were not in good condition.
