SRINAGAR: Twelve centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites in Jammu and Kashmir are reported to be under encroachment, the Union Ministry of Culture informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The figures are part of a state-wise assessment showing that 414 of the 3,688 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains declared to be of national importance across the country have reported encroachments.
Jammu and Kashmir accounts for 12 such cases, placing it among the Union Territories and states with reported encroachment on centrally protected heritage sites. Karnataka has the highest number at 60, followed by Tamil Nadu with 72 and Uttar Pradesh with 78, according to the government data.
Responding to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha, Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the government had taken cognisance of observations concerning deficiencies in boundary and land ownership details of protected monuments.
The Ministry clarified that under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, protection of a monument does not mandatorily require acquisition or ownership of the land on which it stands.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation and maintenance of centrally protected monuments under the Act and the 1959 Rules. Where encroachments or unauthorised activities are detected, action is taken under the applicable provisions.
The government said joint surveys are conducted with local revenue officials to fix and safeguard the boundaries of protected monuments and sites.
It further stated that the ASI has completed the survey, geo-referencing and digitisation of the boundaries of protected monuments and sites, with the data uploaded on the Bhuvan Portal.
Integration of the digitised boundary data with State land records is being undertaken wherever required in coordination with respective State governments and revenue authorities, the Minister said.
The Centre’s response came against the backdrop of concerns over encroachment and land disputes affecting the protection of heritage properties, with the government maintaining that digital boundary mapping and coordination with revenue authorities are being used to strengthen the protection framework.
