First-ever clean-up drive of historical monuments

Government Museum on Kasturba Road in Bengaluru. Photo by S K Dinesh

For the first time ever, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will host a clean-up drive of historical sites and monuments. At the drive—organised on the occasion of the World Heritage Day which falls on April 18— the ASI will also open all the hitherto closed locations and take a stock of their condition.

The ASI will also promote the recently re-painted Dariya Daulat Bagh in Srirangapatna on the occasion.

K Moortheswari, Superintending Archaeologist, Bengaluru circle, ASI said that the department will observe the cleanliness drive from April 18 to 30. This time, the ASI has selected 15 monuments from the Bengaluru circle which it will clean and popularise.

She added that people will, however, not be allowed in the restricted and closed-door areas. It will be for the ASI teams and select volunteers to restore and inspect.

During the drive, the heritage sites and monuments will remain open for public. They will, in fact, be asked to volunteer and made aware of the importance of the sites and ways to protect them. The ASI has invited volunteers to join hands for the drive. As owing to the summer vacations, the usual volunteers from educational institutions cannot be roped in.

‘Heritage for Generation’

The International Council of Monuments and Sites in 1982 declared April 18, as World Heritage Day. In 1983 UNESCO approved it. The aim is to create awareness on the importance of the cultural heritage of human and enhance all efforts to protect and conserve the heritage sites. The theme this year is ‘Heritage for Generation.’

Restrictions at monuments if crowd swells

Entry and photography of politicians and party workers’ campaign in and around heritage sites will be restricted. According to ASI officials, this is being done to protect the sites from any damages. “Normally there is no restriction on footfall, but if the crowd is too high and the ground staff find it difficult to manage, then restrictions will be imposed,” said an ASI official.