Corporates Adopting Monuments For CSR

India is a country that is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, boasting over 38 UNESCO world heritage sites. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 3696 monuments under protection, which are spread throughout the country. These monuments not only exhibit the rich cultural heritage of India but also play a significant role in fostering economic growth. However, the preservation and conservation of these culturally significant sites have posed a considerable challenge as many people live around them, visit them, and make a living from them.

To sustain this cultural legacy and enhance the visitor experience, ASI launched the “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” program on September 4, 2023. Under this program, corporate stakeholders are invited to enhance amenities at the monuments by utilizing their CSR funds. The revamped version of the earlier scheme, launched in 2017, clearly defines the amenities sought for different monuments as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act of 1958.

Stakeholders can apply for adopting a specific monument or amenity through a dedicated web portal. Additionally, a user-friendly mobile app called “Indian Heritage” was launched, showcasing heritage monuments across India, along with state-wise details, photographs, public amenities, geo-tagged locations, and a feedback mechanism for citizens. An e-permission portal for obtaining permissions related to photography, filming, and developmental projects on monuments was also introduced.

World Heritage Day is celebrated globally on April 18 every year, also known as International Day for Monuments and Sites. This day is intended to raise awareness about the importance of preserving ancient cultures and the diverse cultural heritage that is at risk of being lost forever.

Monuments and cultural sites are an integral part of a country’s identity and play a crucial role in shaping its history. They not only serve as a reminder of a country’s past, but they are also an invaluable resource for historians seeking to reconstruct the events of the past. Therefore, it is essential to preserve and conserve these monuments for future generations.

The Ministry of Culture receives less than 1% of the annual budget of the country. The lack of funding often results in improper maintenance of these monuments which often leads to long-term or permanent damage to these cultural gemstones. In fact, lack of funding has caused a shortage of staff or security measures, which has led to some ancient monuments and artefacts going missing under the watch of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

In order to ensure that these monuments get the treatment and care that they deserve, the Indian Ministry of Tourism, ASI and the Ministry of Culture launched a scheme called ‘Adopt a Heritage’. As part of this scheme, ASI-listed monuments and world heritage sites across India were put up for corporate adoption.

Adopt a Heritage Scheme and Monument Mitras

The adopt-a-Heritage scheme is an attempt to involve others in the conservation and preservation of the national heritage of India. The scheme aims to encourage companies from the public sector, private sector, trusts, NGOs, individuals and other stakeholders to become ‘Monument Mitras’ and take up the responsibility of developing and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at these sites as per their interest and viability in terms of a sustainable investment model under CSR. They would also look after the Operation & Maintenance of the same.

The government has laid out three parameters for their selection – their financial credentials, their success stories with similar projects and their vision for the structure.

These ‘Monument Mitras’ will be responsible for the development, operation and maintenance of amenities and facilities of the adopted site, such as cleanliness, drinking water, accessibility, signage, lavatories, tourist multi-purpose centres, surveillance, illumination and other upkeep work. It will also take care of the site under its Corporate Social Responsibility activity.

List of Monument Mitras and the Monuments they Adopted under their CSR

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