GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2290

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

DAMAGE TO MONUMENTS IN KERALA AFTER FLOODS

2290. ADV. JOICE GEORGE:
2291. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

• the total number of historical monuments and Archaeological sites declared protected and of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India in the State of Kerala;

• whether the Government has any idea about the extent of damages to monuments and other historic sculptures across flood-devastated Kerala and if so, the details thereof;

• whether the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) launched Kerala Heritage Rescue Initiative to assess damage to rich cultural and built heritage in Kerala after the floods and if so, the details thereof;

• whether ICOMOS also proposes to create heritage response team and train its members to undertake damage assessment and emergency measures and if so,

the details thereof; and

(e)        the funds allocated and utilized in the maintenance of such sites during the last four years along with the number of persons deputed by ASI at these respective sites in the country State/UT-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

• 28 monuments/sites declared as of National importance in Kerala and maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.

• Consequent to the flood in Kerala during the month of August 2018, the Siva Temple, Pallimannah, Dist. Thrissur a National monument was affected. As a result, 19 panels out of the total 43 panels of ancient mural paintings available on the walls of the Temple got affected.

• Yes, Madam. It was launched to provide emergency response to cultural heritage comprising of historic buildings, archaeological sites, museum collections, archives, libraries, cultural artefacts and intangible heritage damaged by floods. It was further aimed at facilitating the process of recovery as well as strengthening existing disaster risk management systems. Also a web based crowd sourcing platform was established along with a Facebook page to collect information on the damage to cultural heritage and map their locations with the help of relevant assessment forms.

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The key objective of this programme is to enhance local and national capacities for emergency preparedness and response for cultural heritage. To this end, programme activities include joint training and awareness activities for cultural heritage professionals.

• ICOMOS-India strongly advocates creation of heritage response team and training of the local volunteers to prepare for damage assessment and emergency response for future disasters. However, it would need financial support in order to carry out these activities in the future.

• The funds allocated (rupees in lakhs) and expenditure incurred for conservation, preservation and maintenance of all centrally protected monuments/sites in the country (State/UT-wise) during the last four years is at Annexure.

Archaeological Survey of India undertake conservation and preservation of monuments/sites through Circles, for which regular officials/officers have already been posted.

ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2290 FOR 24.12.2018

DETAILS OF FUND ALLOCATED AND EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON CONSERVATION OF CENTRALLY PROTECTED MONUMENTS/SITES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS

(Amount Rupees in Lakhs)