Conservation and Maintenance of Historical Buildings/Monuments
The Archaeological Survey of India established in the year 1861, is entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and maintaining 3679 monuments and archaeological sites declared to be of national importance under the relevant provisions of Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904 and Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
The rich gamut of built heritage conserved and preserved by Archaeological Survey of India includes prehistoric rock-shelters, Neolithic sites, megalithic burials, rock-cut caves, stupas, temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, tombs, palaces, forts, bathing Ghats, tanks, water reservoirs, bridges, pillars, inscriptions, kos minars, excavated sites etc.
Maintenance conservation, preservation and environmental developmental of 3679 centrally protected monuments/sites is one of the major activities of the Archaeological Survey of India, which is performed after preparation of conservation programme every year.
The Archaeological Survey of India maintains its protected monuments in a befitting manner through its 37 Circle offices and 1 Mini Circle office located mainly in the State capitals. The problems related to conservation of monuments depend on the nature and technique of their construction, usage of materials, inherent constructional defects if any besides the location hazards. The main causes of decay are (i) climatic factor (ii) Biological and Botanical factor (iii) Natural disasters, and (iv) man made causes. The protection and maintenance of 3679 monuments, complexes and sites, with limited resources requires a degree of planning. Every year more than 800 monuments are identified for taking up structural repairs of special nature on the basis of assessment made by the field the field offices. A conservation programme is drawn up after proper identification of items of works and adequate funds provided to carry out the specified works. This is a yearly process and takes care of both routine maintenance as well as special repair to selected monuments. Similarly, the work for chemical preservation of monuments, paintings, sculptures etc. is taken up as per the needs of the different sites. The monument complexes also have historical gardens which are maintained by the Horticulture Branch of the ASI. In addition the work for development of gardens/landscapes is also taken up at identified sites visited by large number of visitors.
Conservation Challenges
The challenges related to the conservation of the monuments/sites of national importance depend upon: - 1. Preventive maintenance 2. Nature and technique of their construction 3. Materials used 4. Structural stability 5. Climatic factors 6. Biological and botanical factors 7. Man made causes: Encroachments, pollution, quarrying etc. 8. Natural disasters like flood earthquake etc Based upon the challenges as indicated above proper conservation programme is prepared and implemented with the basic aim of minimum intervention and maximum retention and the conserve the built heritage for posterity and hand over to the coming generation in its purity and genuineness .
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