Context:
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched its innovative Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme recently.
About Adopt a Heritage Scheme:
- Allows private and public sector corporations to adopt most of India’s top heritage sites and improve tourism in such sites.
- Launched in 2017 on World Tourism Day (September 27)
- Collaborative effort of –
- Ministry of Tourism
- Ministry of Culture
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- Aim – To develop synergy among all partners to effectively promote ‘responsible tourism’.
- It is a non-revenue generating project.
- Approach –
- Monument Mitras: Agencies/Companies through ‘Vision Bidding’ will be given an opportunity to associate pride with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
What is Vision Bidding?
- Heritage sites and monuments are classified into 3 categories namely green, blue, and orange, on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility.
- Monument Mitras are responsible for outlining a comprehensive plan for enhancing essential and advanced facilities for each heritage site they undertake, whether it’s a combination of green, blue, and orange sites or any other historical or tourist locations.
- For instance, monuments like the Red Fort and Taj Mahal fall under the green category, while Kotla Firoz Shah in Delhi is categorized as orange.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
- Purpose – For the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
- Ministry – Ministry of Culture
- Founded by – Alexander Cunningham in 1861 – the (1st Director-General)
- Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
- Launched in 2014.
- Central Sector Scheme (CSS)
- Objective: Integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
- Aim –
- To synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, and Make in India.
- To position tourism sector as a major engine for job creation and economic growth.
- Key features –
- Development of benchmark and standards for generic and theme-specific (Culture and Heritage, Adventure tourism etc.) developments of tourism.
- Adoption of principles of sustainable tourism including environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability.
- Developing Tier-II & III destinations to promote domestic tourism.
Source: Times of India
Related Fact
Indian Heritage App:
- It is a user-friendly mobile app which will showcase heritage monuments.
- Feature state-wise details of monuments along with photographs, list of public amenities available, geo-tagged location and feedback mechanism for citizens.
Previous Year Question
With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements:
1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It, among other things will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (c)
