Why in news? The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched a revamped version of the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ programme

Highlights:

• As a part of programme, Indian Heritage app and an e-permission portal were also launched.
• The app provides a comprehensive guide to monuments under ASI’s ambit and lists historical structures along with pictures, public facilities available on site and geo-tagged locations.
• The e-permission portal has been designed to simplify and speed up the process for acquiring approvals for photography, filming, and developmental initiatives concerning heritage monuments, with the goal of expediting the permission-granting process.

About ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’

• It is the upgraded version of ‘Adopt a Heritage’ programme.
• The programme encourages corporate stakeholders to utilise their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to enhance facilities at historically-important monuments.
• Permissible activities have been now clearly stated as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act.
• In the updated programme, more freedom has been given to companies such as the option to either adopt a monument in whole and develop its tourism infrastructure, or provide a particular amenity such as drinking water facility or cleaning services for one or several sites.

About “Adopt a Heritage Scheme”

• Ministry :Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Launch year: 2017 on World Tourism Day(27 September)
• Aim : to provide quality and inclusive facilities and amenities across natural, heritage and tourist sites through the active participation of public and private sector organisations and individuals
• Features: Private companies or organisations are known as ‘Monument Mitras’ to conserve developing and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at these sites.
• Collaborative approach with private sector organisations encouraged to utilise their CSR funds for monument conservation