Outbound has always shared its readers concern about the monuments and heritage sites of India. In pursuance to this our editor Mr. Rajeev K. Manocha interviewed Shri D.R.Gehlot- Director, Monuments at Archeological Survey of India(ASI) who told us in detail about the current state of things in this regard

 

Dr. Gehlot

India being one of the oldest civilizations is home to so many monuments still not discovered. What steps are being taken in this direction?

You see there three thousand six hundred sixty seven protected monuments under the care of ASI but you are right that apart from them there are so many monuments neither in the care of ASI nor with the State AD. But we are taking care of explorations on village to village with researchers and archaeologists conducting their surveys of these monuments.

There are a great deal of historic monuments in M.P. and Rajasthan even in small towns and villages in which great deal of cultural heritage is hidden. Why the proper heed has not been paid to them?

Yes, there are temples, palaces and other places of archaeological importance in Rajasthan like forts of Chittor Garh, Ranthambor and Jaisalmer. Likewise so many such sites are in Madhya Pradesh and some of them are part of world heritage like Khajuraho, Sanchi and Bhimbedka. Apart from them others are also being taken care of by ASI with available resources and manpower. There was a paucity of funds but they have sufficiently been raised by now.
Likewise so many forts are there in MP and Rajasthan but why the emphasis has been given on just a few of them like Aamer and Gwalior?

No, when we talk of forts, there comes forts of chittorgarh, Ranthambor, kumbalgarh, Jaisalmer all of them under the care of ASI. So many works have been carried out for the conservation and providing facilities to the tourists.Some developments related to tourism sector have also abeen introduced by The ITDC like illumination of Gwalior fort as well as the provision of Audio guide services to this fort. The same facility is also being planned for Qutab Minar.

Why in spite of all this most of the international tourists are interested only in Tajmahal?

Yes, Taj is one of the most important monuments in respect of domestic and international tourists and is in world heritage list because of its great tourist appeal. So definitely overseas tourists are most interested in it than that of other monuments. But it is incorrect to say that only Tajmahal as there are other famous world heritage sites in India under the protection of ASI. Humayun tomb, Qutab Minar and now Red fort have entered in the world heritage list and the tourist flow has increased in these sites.

 

When tourists go to Egypt they positively visit Pyramids and Temples, but why India-bound tourists do not visit Indian Monuments?

I do not agree. There are so many monuments in India important from cultural point of view as well as of tourism one. There are many sites like Kalika Mata temple in Gujarat where tourists go when they are in the state and same trend is repeated in other states. They go to temples, mosques and other cultural and religious places of these states. ASI and tourism departments are taking adequate care to increase the flow of tourists there. Facilities like drinking water, toilets and help to disabled tourists are being provided to heritage monuments and ticketed monuments.
Ajanta and Ellora are great historic monuments with world class artistic appeal, why tourists are not much interested to visit them?

No, I do not agree. The caves of Ajanta and Ellora have always aroused a great tourist appeal. They are beautiful caves, people from abroad and also from India have been visiting these caves and they are very popular.

Are there any efforts for a fruitful co-operation between ASI and Ministry of Tourism.

Yes, certainly. In the forthcoming CW games in Delhi, some of the monuments have been identified by the Ministry of tourism and Archeological survey of India outside Delhi also. MoT has given proposal to illuminate them and also the monuments of great importance in Orrisa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and madhya Pradesh and other places. So there is a close co-ordination between us and there are some proposals from the state governments too and we are examining the details. There are some procedures which have to be followed before taking them under the care of ASI.

There are great archeological beauties like Minakshi Temple in Madurai, why have we not backed it for the seven wonders race? We have not even given it the due respect as the greatest ancient temple.

So far as Minakshi temple is concerned I do not think it is under the care of ASI and this question should be asked from the Ministry of Tourism.

A great emphasis has been given to the Buddhist sites but Hindu temples and sites are not given due importance while they are scattered throughout the country?

No, it is not true. Whatever the monuments we have under the care of ASI they have been given due emphasis and care without any religious favor or prejudice. Buddhist sites might have got the lime light because of their international importance but ASI has taken equal care of Jaina temples, Hindu temples and Mosques.

Mazars of urdu poets Ghalib and Zauq were badly neglected in Delhi, Why we let it happen?

I do not want to comment on any particular monument.

In the interest of tourism, there was a talk of a single ticket for all monuments, what happened to that idea?

That matter is under progress and we will sort it out very soon. At this stage I am not able to comment any more.