In an effort to preserve India‘s cultural heritage and provide an enhanced experience for visitors, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to launch the Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme on September 4, 2023, at the Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi.
Adopt a Heritage 2.0 is a revamped version of a previous scheme launched in 2017 and is designed to specify the amenities required for different monuments in accordance with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act of 1958. India is home to 3,696 heritage monuments under ASI protection, scattered across the nation. These monuments not only serve as custodians of India’s cultural legacy but also play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth.
The 2.0 initiative will invite corporate stakeholders to contribute to the enhancement of amenities at India’s historical monuments by utilising their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
Selected stakeholders will be responsible for developing, providing, and maintaining amenities in hygiene, accessibility, safety, and knowledge categories, earning recognition as responsible and heritage-friendly entities.
Stakeholders interested in contributing to the preservation of these monuments can apply through a dedicated web portal which provides comprehensive information on monuments available for adoption, along with gap analysis and financial estimations for required amenities.
To push its tourism sector, Punjab’s government has established Invest Punjab, offering financial incentives under its Industrial Policy 2022. The state also introduced Adventure & Water Tourism Policy and announced Punjab’s first Tourism Summit & Mart, slated for September. Punjab Tourism recently held a 4-city roadshow led by the Tourism Minister, Anmol Gagan Mann, who engaged with the travel trade fraternity, showcasing prospects and investment opportunities.
In conjunction with the program launch, a user-friendly mobile app named “Indian Heritage” will be introduced. This app will serve as a digital gateway to India’s heritage monuments, offering state-wise details, photographs, lists of available public amenities, geo-tagged locations, and a citizen feedback mechanism.The app’s launch will occur in phases, beginning with ticketed monuments in Phase I, followed by others. Additionally, an e-permission portal at www.asipermissionportal.gov.in will be launched to streamline the process for obtaining permissions related to photography, filming, and developmental projects at monuments, eliminating operational and logistical bottlenecks.
“Our heritage monuments are not mere structures; they are living testaments of our history, art, and architecture. The Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme seeks to foster collaboration with corporate stakeholders to contribute to the preservation of these monuments for future generations,” said Union Minister of Culture, Tourism, and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy.
He added that the selection process for corporate stakeholders will be conducted after thorough due diligence and discussions with various parties, considering the economic and developmental opportunities associated with each monument.
Initially, the appointment term of the stakeholders will be five years, with the possibility of extension for an additional five years.
