The Government of India has recently announced a landmark policy shift to involve private players in the conservation of protected monuments. Until now, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was the sole authority responsible for conserving over 3,700 protected heritage sites. The new initiative aims to create a public-private partnership (PPP) model to accelerate conservation work and build capacity across the sector.
Background and Recent Developments
Conservation of protected monuments was exclusively managed by the ASI under the Ministry of Culture. The government’s move allows corporates, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and private organisations to directly hire external agencies for conservation projects. These projects will still be supervised by the ASI and must comply with the National Policy for Conservation, 2014. Funding will be routed through the National Culture Fund (NCF), ensuring transparency and adherence to guidelines.
Role of National Culture Fund
Established in 1996 with an initial corpus of Rs 20 crore, the NCF has grown through corporate and PSU donations to Rs 140 crore. The fund supports conservation activities using the interest generated. Around 100 projects have been funded, including notable sites like Bhuleshwar Temple, British Residency in Hyderabad, and monuments in New Delhi. The NCF offers 100% tax exemptions on donations, encouraging corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions for heritage preservation.
Empanelment of Conservation Architects
The Ministry of Culture will empanel over a dozen reputed conservation architects nationwide. These architects will guide donors through the conservation process and ensure compliance with technical standards. Donors can select an empanelled architect who will oversee the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) and supervise the execution of the conservation work.
Private Sector Participation and Implementation
Private donors will be able to select monuments from an initial list of 250 sites requiring urgent conservation. They can also propose other sites based on regional or specific interests. External agencies with proven experience in conserving heritage structures over 100 years old will be eligible to execute the projects. This approach aims to fast-track conservation and improve project management, addressing delays seen under the ASI’s sole implementation model.
Checks, Balances, and Oversight
While private players will undertake core conservation work, the ASI will retain supervisory control. The DPR must be approved by the ASI, and all projects must align with national conservation policies. The NCF Council, chaired by the Union Minister of Culture, and the Executive Committee, led by the Secretary of Culture, will oversee fund utilisation and project progress. This framework ensures accountability and quality control.
Significance and Future Prospects
This initiative marks the first time private donors can directly manage core conservation work, beyond the earlier Adopt a Heritage scheme that focused on visitor amenities. By involving the private sector more deeply, the government expects faster project completion, enhanced expertise, and sustainable heritage management. Donors will also receive public recognition at the monument sites for their contributions.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the role of public-private partnerships in the conservation of cultural heritage in India.
- Analyse the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on heritage conservation, with examples from India’s National Culture Fund initiatives.
- Examine the challenges and benefits of involving private agencies in the management of protected monuments in India.
- Discuss in the light of heritage management policies, how can technology and community participation complement government efforts in monument conservation?
