Daily Current Affairs : 25-July-2023

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was initiated in 2007 with the aim of documenting India’s vast cultural heritage, including monuments and antiquities. Over the years, it has faced various challenges, and a recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture has highlighted the slow progress of the NMMA in achieving its objectives.

Understanding NMMA

The NMMA was launched in 2007, primarily to document the country’s historical monuments and antiquities. Initially, it was planned to function for five years until 2012, but due to the magnitude of the task, its tenure was extended for an additional five years until 2017. Later, the NMMA was integrated with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to streamline its efforts and utilize existing resources more effectively.

Objectives of NMMA
  1. Documentation of Cultural Resources: The primary objective of the NMMA was to create comprehensive databases on India’s built heritage and historical sites. This would involve gathering information from various published and unpublished sources, making it accessible to planners, researchers, and the public. A well-managed database could aid in better resource management and planning for the preservation of these cultural assets.
  2. Cataloguing Antiquities: Another important goal of the NMMA was to document all registered and catalogued antiquities present in different formats across the country. This encompassed antiquities held by government agencies, private museums, collections, universities, and other institutions. Creating a uniform database would facilitate the identification and protection of these invaluable artifacts.
  3. Raising Awareness: The NMMA aimed to raise public awareness about the significance of preserving historical and cultural heritage, including monuments and antiquities. By sensitizing people to the importance of these assets, it hoped to garner support for their conservation and protection.
  4. Capacity Building: The mission also sought to extend training and capacity-building initiatives to various stakeholders, such as state departments, local bodies, NGOs, universities, museums, and local communities. Strengthening the capabilities of these entities would enable better management and preservation efforts.
Concerns and Challenges

Despite the laudable objectives, the Parliamentary Standing Committee expressed concern over the slow pace of the NMMA’s documentation process. Some of the major concerns include:

  1. Incomplete Documentation: The NMMA has been able to document only around 30 percent of the estimated 58 lakh antiquities in India. This slow progress raises questions about the effectiveness of the mission and its ability to fulfill its mandate adequately.
  2. Implications on Heritage Protection: The slow documentation process has significant implications for heritage protection. Properly cataloguing antiquities is crucial for proving ownership and reclaiming stolen heritage items. Without accurate records, it becomes challenging to identify and recover looted artifacts, leading to a loss of cultural heritage.
  3. Resource Constraints: Documenting and preserving India’s vast cultural heritage is a monumental task that requires substantial resources, including funding, expertise, and technology. The NMMA may be facing resource constraints, hindering its progress.
  4. Coordination and Collaboration: Efficient documentation and conservation efforts require collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including the ASI, state departments, institutions, and NGOs. Any lack of coordination can impede progress.

Important Points:

  • The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was launched in 2007 to document India’s historical monuments and antiquities.
  • It was initially set to operate for five years until 2012 but was later extended for another five years until 2017 and merged with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
  • The objectives of NMMA include documenting cultural resources, cataloguing antiquities, raising awareness about heritage preservation, and providing training and capacity building.
  • The NMMA has only been able to document around 30 percent (16.8 lakh out of 58 lakh) of the estimated total antiquities in India.
  • The slow pace of documentation is a major concern as it affects proving ownership and reclaiming stolen heritage items.
  • Properly cataloguing antiquities is essential for effective heritage protection and identification of looted artifacts.
  • Resource constraints, including funding and expertise, may be hindering the progress of NMMA.
  • Efficient coordination and collaboration between various stakeholders like ASI, state departments, institutions, and NGOs are crucial for successful preservation efforts.
  • To safeguard India’s rich cultural heritage effectively, there is a need for more focused efforts and enhancing the mission’s capabilities.
Why In News

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture emphasized the pressing need to enhance the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) efforts to document antiquities. With just 30 percent of the total 58 lakh antiquities documented, there is a crucial opportunity to preserve and safeguard our rich cultural heritage by accelerating the documentation process and ensuring the protection of these valuable artifacts for future generations.

MCQs about National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities

  1. What was the primary objective of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA)?
    A. To promote tourism at historical sites
    B. To document India’s built heritage and antiquities
    C. To conduct archaeological excavations
    D. To raise awareness about modern architecture
    Correct Answer: B. To document India’s built heritage and antiquities
    Explanation: The primary objective of NMMA was to create comprehensive databases on India’s historical monuments and antiquities.
  2. Why is the slow documentation progress of NMMA a cause for concern?
    A. It hampers efforts to promote tourism
    B. It affects the government’s budget for heritage conservation
    C. It makes it difficult to identify and reclaim stolen heritage items
    D. It leads to disputes between different state governments
    Correct Answer: C. It makes it difficult to identify and reclaim stolen heritage items
    Explanation: The slow documentation hinders the process of proving ownership and reclaiming stolen heritage items.
  3. What is one of the challenges faced by NMMA in achieving its objectives?
    A. Lack of public interest in heritage preservation
    B. Shortage of skilled archaeologists
    C. Inadequate financial support from the government
    D. Excessive focus on cataloguing modern artifacts
    Correct Answer: C. Inadequate financial support from the government
    Explanation: The resource constraints, including funding, may be hindering the progress of NMMA in achieving its objectives.

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