HERITAGE WORLDWIDE e newsletter

National Monument Authority

To stop the rampant encroachment and construction around the monuments and other sites of archeological importance the Government has enacted The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.

National Monuments Authority (NMA) under the Act will be the highest body to oversee functions under the Act, particularly consideration of NOC applications for construction/reconstruction/repair and renovation in prohibited and regulated areas. National Monument Authority has been already established at Tilak Marg, New Delhi with a full time Member Secretary and small component of staff. The process of appointment of 1 full time member and 2 part time members is also in the final stages.

26 Competent Authorities (CA) under the Act have been already notified across the country. They are jurisdictionally co-terminus with circle SAs of ASI.

Announcing this in New Delhi the Minister of Culture and HUPA Kumari Selja said, steps have been also initiated regarding formulating monument-wise heritage bye-laws. The bye-laws for Begumpuri Mosque are being finalized in consultation with INTACH and once these are approved it can serve as model for other monuments.