Why in news?  The 130-year-old Kuttikkanam Palace, once the summer residence of the kings of erstwhile Travancore, is set to be declared a historical monument.

Highlights:

• Constructed during the reign of Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma who ruled the Travancore princely state from 1885 to 1924.
• British planter J.D. Munro supervised its construction.

What is Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act?

• Definition of Ancient Monument: An “ancient monument” refers to structures, buildings, caves, sculptures, inscriptions, or monoliths that hold historical, archaeological, or artistic significance.
• Aim of the Act: it is designed to safeguard and preserve ancient monuments for future generations.
• Applicability: The Act covers monuments older than 100 years, regardless of whether they are owned by the public or private entities.
• Protection Measures: Construction or alterations within a designated area around ancient monuments are prohibited without approval from the National Monuments Authority (NMA).
• Protected Area: A 100-meter radius around the monument is marked as a protected area. Additionally, a regulated area extends up to 200 meters beyond the protected zone.

Role of the National Monuments Authority (NMA)

• The NMA is the regulatory body responsible for implementing the AMASR Act. It oversees the protection and preservation of ancient monuments and archaeological sites across India.

NMA’s Authority

• The NMA has the power to grant permission for construction or developmental activities within the protected and regulated areas.

Antiquity includes:

• any coin, sculpture, manuscript, epigraph, or other work of art of craftsmanship,
• any article, object or thing detached from a building or cave,
• any article, object or thing illustrative of science, art, crafts, literature, religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone ages,
• any article, object or thing of historical interest, and
• any article, object or thing declared by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette to be an antiquity for the purposes of this Act, which has been in existence for not less than one hundred years.