Cash-strapped Archaeology Department takes MGNREGA route for upkeep of monuments in Karnataka

The proposed initiative will cover the protected and unprotected sites in Karnataka, most of which lack even a fence, so as to prevent encroachment

The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, which is hamstrung by paucity of staff and funds, will take the MGNREGA route for maintenance of protected and unprotected heritage sites and monuments in Karnataka.  

Archaeology Department of Karnataka handles 844 monuments and sites in addition to 609 sites under the ambit of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The proposed initiative will cover the protected and unprotected sites in Karnataka, most of which lack even a fence, so as to prevent encroachment.

A. Devaraju, Commissioner of the Department, said the government has issued a directive to to take up maintenance work and has also appointed nodal officers to coordinate with local PDOs to prepare an action plan. ‘’The MGNREGA has come in handy for taking up bio-fencing. It has both labour and material component besides generating employment for rural people,’’ Mr. Devaraj added.

Sources in the department said that out of 844 monuments, about 250 monuments have a fence and compound wall while the remaining monuments are susceptible to encroachment. In most cases, the extent of area abutting the monuments and that belonging to the Archaeology Department is yet to be determined

The State Archaeology Department has a sanctioned strength of 13 engineers and an annual budget of ₹27 crore of which nearly ₹11 crore goes for staff salary.

With the focus on maintenance of Grade A monuments of historical importance that also attract tourists, a majority of the monuments are neglected. Over the last few years, the department has been earmarking ₹1 crore for fencing of the monuments, but this covers only a handful of sites each year.