Protest against heritage site adoption scheme in Assam

Protest against heritage site adoption scheme in Assam

Context

Members of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and other organisations protested against the ’Adopt a Heritage’ scheme

Sites chosen from Assam

The four sites chosen in Assam include

1. Kaziranga National Park
2. Rangghar, Asia’s oldest amphitheatre
3. Kareng Ghar, a palace
4. Shiva Dol, a temple – all in Sivasagar district built during the 600-year reign of the Ahom dynasty before the British took control of the Northeast in 1826

Adopt a Heritage Scheme: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan

It is a collaboration among the Tourism and Culture Ministers, the Archaeological Survey of India and the State government

• Aim: It aims to involve public sector companies, private sector companies and corporate citizens/individuals to take up the responsibility for making our heritage and tourism more sustainable through development, operation and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure and amenities at ASI/ State heritage sites and other important tourist sites in India
• They would become ‘Monument Mitras’ through the innovative concept of “Vision Bidding”, where the agency with best vision  for the heritage site will be given an opportunity to associate pride with their CSR activities
• The project primarily focusses on providing basic amenities that includes cleanliness, public conveniences, drinking water, ease of access for differently abled and senior citizens, standardized signage, illumination and advanced amenities such as surveillance system, night viewing facilities, tourism facilitation center and an enhanced tourism experience that will result in more tourist footfalls, both domestic and foreign