House panel expresses concern over slow documentation of antiquities

Subject :History

Section: Art and culture

Concept :

The Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture noted in the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) has only been able to document 16.8 lakh antiquities out of a estimated total of 58 lakh.

National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) is an Indian government agency responsible for maintaining cultural heritage database under the Ministry of Culture of the government of India.
It was launched in 2007 aimed at studying, researching and preserving the cultural heritage of India.
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) is a pan India mission which has been launched to prepare National Register and set up state level database on built heritage, sites and antiquities, promote awareness and sensitize people about such heritage, extend facility for capacity building and help in synergizing between various organizations on heritage issues.

Objectives of National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities

Documentation and creation of suitable database on built heritage and sites for information and dissemination to planners, researchers etc. and for better management of such cultural resources.
Documentation in a uniform format developed by NMMA, of all Antiquities that are available in the form of Registered Antiquities, Catalogued Antiquities with Central as well as State Governments, Private museums and collections, Universities, etc.
Promote awareness and sensitize people concerning the benefits of preserving the historical and cultural aspects of built heritage, sites and antiquities.
Extend training facility and capacity building to the concerned State Departments, Local bodies, NGOs, Universities, Museums, Local communities etc.
Help in developing synergy between institutions like Archaeological Survey of India, State Departments, concerned Institutions and NGOs to generate close interaction.
Publication and Research