GAMEPLAN 2010 - 6-lane road plan in heritage area hits opposition
A new six-lane road, part of the infrastructure bouquet being planned for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, has kicked up a row between the town planners and conservationists. While the town planners are excited at this Rs 135-crore project, the conservationists are not impressed. They say the road is dangerously close …
INTACH programme to encourage conservation of heritage
In order to encourage students to undertake conservation efforts and preserve the city's heritage, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has devised a programme for creating awareness among them about the local history. INTACH has been organising workshops for schoolteachers so that they can spread awareness …
World's oldest bird fossils
Five beautifully preserved headless fossil skeletons discovered in China suggest modern birds evolved from aquatic duck-like ancestors. The creatures, which shared the planet with dinosaurs 110m years ago, are the oldest modern bird fossils ever found. The finds were made by US and Chinese researchers in the north-western Gansu province …
ASI wireless network links up all Agra monuments
Agra is known to be the only city in the world with three world heritage monuments. But apart from these three monuments, there are over 50 lesser known monuments that are maintained and conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India by posting their staff on these monuments. For long, ASI …
Gilgit people damn Pak's Bhasha Dam project
People of Gilgit are up in arms against Pakistan Government over the proposed Bhasha Dam, whose benefits will to go to North Western Frontier Province (NFWP). It would inundate 32 villages of Gilgit and render 30,000 people homeless. It would be pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Government raised a …
Conservationists concerned over chemical cleaning of monuments
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) seems to be on a chemical cleaning spree. Having cleaned three monuments in the last few months -- Sabz Burj, Feroz Shah Tughlaq's Tomb and Isa Khan's Tomb in the Humayun's Tomb complex -- this sudden interest in making monuments spotlessly clean seems to …
China finds 2,000-year-old city
The ruins of a 2,000-year-old walled city have been found in a reservoir on China's north-east border with North Korea, exposed when the water level in the Yunfeng reservoir was lowered for repairs. The Xinhua news agency said the ruins, near the city of Ji'an, were believed to date from …
Monuments demolition: HC issues notices to Centre, ASI
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Union Government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a petition seeking direction for an inquiry into demolition of 17 monuments and theft of statues from them in the Capital. A Division Bench headed by Mr Justice Vijender Jain issued …
Notices over destruction of historic monuments
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Union Government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a public interest litigation seeking directions to the two respondents to explain alleged destruction of 10 historic monuments in the Capital. A Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice M. Katju …
Ministers oppose bid to lease out monuments
A minor revolt is brewing in the BJP-led Government in Rajasthan with Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria rushing to Delhi to complain to the senior party leadership on the new legislation in the State facilitating the leasing out of ancient monuments to private parties. Mahesh Sharma, BJP State president, has …
ASI to resore 14th century baoli
Conservation work of the 14th century baoli within the premises of the Bara Hindu Rao hospital in Delhi has been started by the Archeological survey of India. Used for garbage dumping by the hospital over the years, the heritage site will soon be restored to its past grandeur.
Spotlight on safeguarding heritage
After existing only on paper for three long years, the proposed official missions to safeguard heritage are likely to see the light of day this coming April. Having taken a somewhat circuitous route to get approved, they might be set to take off finally but in a "diluted form", say …
Temple, mosque, pagoda renovation in the pipeline
The West Bengal state government is to begin renovating historical temples, mosques, pagodas and forts of archaeological value from April. Historic buildings in need of renovation will be selected by an eight-member committee appointed by the state archaeology directorate under the state information and cultural affairs department. So far, the …
Remnants of fortified Harappan era found
Substantial remnants of a fortified Harappan settlement, including a fortification wall, dwelling pits, daily-use copper objects, weapons, seals and pottery etc have been found during an excavation being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the village. Some of the remnants and artifacts dug out by the …
Fossil find could upturn accepted history of mammalian evolution
A new fossil find of a mammal that lived 120 million years ago with upright forelegs as that of a dog and stretched out hind legs like a lizard's could upturn accepted history of mammalian evolution, researchers said. The unique find was made from northeast China's Liaoning province when researchers …
SC rejects CBI closure report
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati faces prospect of criminal action in the Taj Heritage Corridor (THC) case with the Supreme Court indicating that report of the investigating officer (IO) alone should be considered, not the CBI's
Apex court accepts report for eco-restoration around Taj
The Supreme Court asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to come forward with suggestions within two weeks for implementation of the report of a Committee appointed by it to suggest measures for eco-restoration of the areas surrounding the Taj Mahal, in view of the damage caused by the controversial …
Regaining ground
After Delhi High Court took a stern view of unauthorised structures at many protected monuments in the capital, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi Circle did a survey which reveals that 14 out of 172 monuments have been heavily encroached upon. The ASI, which has to file an Action …
