414 Heritage Sites Under Encroachment, ASI Faces Mounting Conservation Challenge

The Union Government has revealed that 414 centrally protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are currently affected by encroachments , highlighting a growing threat to India’s cultural legacy. The disclosure was made in the Rajya Sabha by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who also pointed to the dual challenge of illegal occupation and environmental damage facing heritage structures.

Across India, encroachments have emerged in densely populated and rapidly urbanising regions , with states such as Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Delhi witnessing significant pressure on protected sites. In many cases, buffer zones and protected peripheries of monuments have been occupied rather than the core structures themselves, though the impact on preservation remains severe. Areas surrounding historic complexes have seen the rise of informal settlements, roadside markets, and unregulated construction , often altering the landscape and restricting conservation work.

Several prominent monuments illustrate the scale and diversity of the problem. The Tughlaqabad Fort has faced large-scale settlement encroachments , with clusters of housing developing around its boundaries. Around the Charminar, street vendors and small commercial establishments have occupied surrounding spaces, complicating heritage management in one of India’s busiest tourist zones. Inside Jaisalmer Fort, residential and commercial activities continue within the fort complex itself, raising concerns over structural stress and long-term conservation. Meanwhile, areas around the Red Fort have experienced urban encroachment in adjoining zones , driven by intense city expansion.

To address the issue, authorities rely on legal provisions under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 , which prohibits construction within 100 metres of protected monuments and regulates activities beyond that limit. The ASI has been issuing notices, eviction orders, and initiating legal action , often in coordination with local administrations and police forces. In several instances, demolition drives and clearance operations have been carried out, alongside efforts to fence and secure cleared areas to prevent re-encroachment. However, these actions frequently face delays due to litigation, resistance from occupants, and the need for rehabilitation measures .

India’s vast network of 3,686 protected monuments presents a formidable conservation challenge. While enforcement mechanisms exist, experts warn that encroachments often reappear after clearance drives , reflecting deeper structural issues such as inadequate urban planning, weak coordination among agencies, and limited rehabilitation frameworks.