Revitalizing Heritage: New Strategies for India's Monuments

A parliamentary panel recommends innovative strategies including a Heritage Conservation Fund, digital initiatives, and community engagement to protect India's monuments. With a focus on climate resilience, legal reforms, and technology, these proposals aim to balance heritage preservation with urban development pressures.

A parliamentary panel has put forth innovative recommendations aimed at revitalizing the conservation efforts for India's protected monuments. Key proposals include the establishment of a Heritage Conservation Fund worth Rs 500 crore to address emergency conservation needs and climate mitigation, funded by tourism, CSR initiatives, and government grants.

The committee's report highlights the importance of fast-track courts for heritage violations, reforming delisting protocols, and launching a 'Metaverse Heritage Initiative' for digital tourism. It stresses leveraging technologies like AI-driven predictive maintenance, 3D mapping, and blockchain for effective heritage management.

By combining these tech-driven solutions with community engagement and strategic fund allocation, the panel believes India can protect its cultural legacy against urbanization pressures while setting a global benchmark for monument preservation.

(With inputs from agencies.)