ASI urges educational institutions to adopt heritage monuments

To promote heritage sites and monuments, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to reach out to members of the public with a special focus on children.

The ASI has written to Education department urging it to direct educational institutions to adopt a monument or a site for one year and partner with ASI in protecting them.

K Moortheswari, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI told DH: “Tourism for people is adventure and nature. Little attention is paid to heritage sites and monuments. So, we want to reach out to members of the public, students and children in particular.”

Keeping this year’s theme- Sustainable Tourism- A Tool for Development and, the Swachch Bharat mission in mind, ASI has taken this decision.

“The idea is to protect the site better by involving people. Children from educational institutions will have the opportunity to visit the monument or site adopted for the whole year. A certificate from ASI will be given after one year. The institution will be given the responsibility to keep the place clean and create awareness among public,” she said.

Earlier, ASI had partnered with NCC and NSS. The ASI is now joining hands with some Kendriya Sadans.

To add least known places, ASI has now urged citizens to suggest places which they think have unique and heritage value to be included in the list of protected monuments and sites.

“So far, 130 protected sites from Bengaluru, 250 from Dharwad and 85 from Hampi are being protected by ASI. But there are many lesser known places and, citizens are requested to send us some details of the site. The ASI team is already working on two sites in Ballari and one in Somanathpur,” Moortheswari added.