Annual report - Ministry Of Culture

comprising prehistoric stone-age sites, proto historic
habitational sites, megalithic burials, rock cut caves,
stupas, temples, mosques, churches, forts water systems,
pillars inscriptions, bas relief, monolithic statues,
sculptures etc. These were constructed using variety
of materials like stone, brick, timber, lime, and mud.
Conservation, preservation, maintenance and
development of environs around centrally protected
monuments and sites are the prime tasks of
Archaeological Survey of India. The objective of
conservation is to prolong the life of cultural property
and, if possible, to authentically present the artistic
and historical message therein without disturbing their
integrities. It is important for archaeological values to
be preserved by retaining as much as possible their
original character. Greater emphasis is given for the
development of cultural tourism integrating with the
monuments. For this purpose, cultural hubs
encompassing facilities for tourist such as information
center, public convenience, modern ticket counters,
better signage, and drinking water facilities are being
created at monuments inscribed on world heritage list
and other important and most frequented monuments.
Conservation of monuments is a continuous process
and yearly programs are drawn up by all the circles,
chemical as well as horticulture branches.
Archaeological Survey of India has undertaken about
1700 schemes (works) during the year for structural
conservation, chemical preservation and horticulture
operations based on the priorities, commitments,
available manpower and financial resources. Yearly
programme is drawn taking into consideration the
above factors and is executed by the Circles, Chemical
and Horticulture branches of Archaeological Survey
of India. Keeping in view the commonwealth Games
2010, special structural conservation chemical
preservation and environmental development were
taken up at 46 monuments in Delhi.
Furthermore, Archaeological Survey of India is
contributing for the conservation and restoration of Ta
Prohm temple in Cambodia under ITEC program of
Ministry of External Affairs. Archaeological Survey
of India has conducted scientific studies and
ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011 7
investigations pertaining to structural, geo-technical,
water stagnation and arboriculture aspects of this
temple and submitted a report to ICC-UNESCO.
Conservation work at three locations is in progress as
per the project implementation program approved by
the International Coordination Committee and
ASPSARA National Authority. An expenditure of
Rs. 1200.00 lakhs has been incurred till March, 2010
and a provision of Rs.3.5 crores have been made for
the project for the year 2010-2011.
After successful completion of the phase-I of the
Ajanta-Ellora conservation and tourism development
project with the loan from Japan Bank of International
Cooperation (JBIC), the works of the phase-II have
been taken up and are in progress. An integrated
program of comprehensive conservation, chemical
preservation and overall environmental development
of Ajanta, Ellora, Pitalkhora and Aurangabad caves,
Dulatabad fort, Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Patndevi temple and
Lonar group of temples has been taken up in the
phase-II of the project with a project outlay of
Rs. 37.68 crores. ASI has incurred an expenditure of
Rs. 26.14 crores up to June, 2010 in the project and
a provision of Rs. 8 crores has been made for the
year 2010-2011.
ASI has 19 world heritage sites out of the monuments
of national importance under protection. The work
proposed at these monuments includes structural
conservation, chemical preservation, environmental
development, tourist amenities, and preparation of the
management plans.
Archaeological Excavations
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out
several excavations through its Circle and Excavation
Branches during the field season 2009-10.The
significant results of excavations are summarized
below:
1 Malhar, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh:
The excavation of Malhar, has revealed the
elements of five-fold cultural sequence, namely,