CSR: Know how 'Monument Mitras' are taking care of India's heritage sites

New Delhi, 22 September 2020: Maharashtra has received donations of around Rs 68.30 Crore from companies for the conservation and development of National Heritage sites, under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) till March 2020.

Corporate Social Responsibility and the initiatives taken by corporate and PSUs under CSR have been a much discussed issue during the Parliament’s monsoon session. Responding to a query related to investment of CSR funds for the conservation of National Heritage, Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Culture & Tourism said that the CSR amount spent by companies under item (v) of Schedule VII of the Act in the state of Maharashtra was Rs68,30,44,000 till 31 March, 2020.

Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 (‘Act’) enlists the activities which may be included by companies in their CSR policy. ‘National Heritage’ falls under item (v) of Schedule VII of the Act which reads as "Protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration of buildings and sites of historical importance and works of art; setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional arts and handicrafts.

However it is interesting to understand how corporate got engaged into the National Heritage conservation and development plans.

In March, while speaking in Lok Sabha, Patel had informed that as many as 27 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been awarded to 12 Monument Mitras for 25 sites and two technological interventions across India so far. He had also informed that the implementation of amenities agreed to under the MoUs have already commenced at several sites and the operation and maintenance activities are also underway for these sites.

Who are ‘Monument Mitras’

These are the corporate players who have come forward to provide facilities and maintain thereof at historical monuments. This is part of the scheme named ‘Adopt-a Heritage’ launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India where the corporate sector is involved as ‘Monument Mitra.’

Basically, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India had set up the National Culture Fund (NCF) in 1996 to provide a platform for corporate organisations to contribute in the upkeep of historical monuments, providing facilities, etc.

Adopt-a-Heritage scheme is an attempt to involve others in conservation and preservation of our national heritage. The project aims to encourage companies from public sector, private sector, trusts, NGOs, individuals and other stakeholders to become ‘Monument Mitras’ and take up the responsibility of developing and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at these sites as per their interest and viability in terms of a sustainable investment model under CSR. They would also look after the Operation & Maintenance of the same.

List of MoUs awarded under Adopt a Heritage Project

It should be known that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture undertakes conservation, preservation and maintenance of all centrally protected monuments/Sites. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has launched the "Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan" project which is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, ASI and State/  UT Governments for developing tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/tourist sites spread across the country for making them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner.

The Ministry of Tourism is encouraging State Governments/UT Administrations to adopt similar models and States including Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Uttarakhand have come forward for participation in the project.