Structures near protected sites face demolition

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 9

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued demolition and show-cause notices for constructing illegal structures near the protected monuments in the state.

Superintending Archaeologist, Shimla, Dr KC Nauriyal said the Director General, ASI, had issued 20 demolition and 286 show-cause notices for raising illegal structures in violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains Rules, 1959, and the notification issued in 1992.

According to the notification, the area up to 100 metres around the protected structures limits has been declared the prohibited area, where no construction or mining is allowed, and the area up to 200 metres is declared as regulated area. Any repair, addition or alteration and construction or reconstruction within the regulated area, need the approval of the authority.

Dr Nauriyal said 14 notices had been issued to defaulters and four through the authorities to pull down the illegal buildings that had come up within the periphery of the monuments and sites.

He said of the 286 show-cause notices issued, 168 had been issued for constructing illegal buildings and 118 for unlawful structures within the regulated area.

There are 40 monuments and sites under the protection of the ASI in the state.

Dr Nauriyal said under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, they had also launched a drive to clean protected monuments in the state.