Understanding the 'Adopt a Heritage' Initiative

The question asks about the government initiative known as ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’. This initiative aims to involve private sector companies, public sector companies, and individuals in the upkeep and maintenance of India's rich cultural heritage sites.

Let's analyze the options provided to determine which ministry is responsible for this initiative:

• Indian Council of Historical Research: This is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education. Its primary function is to promote and coordinate research in history. It is not directly involved in the physical adoption and maintenance of heritage sites.
• Ministry of Tourism: The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India. Heritage sites are significant tourist attractions, and initiatives to improve their infrastructure and visitor experience align directly with the goals of the Ministry of Tourism. The 'Adopt a Heritage' initiative was launched by the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Archaeological Survey of India: The ASI is the premier organization under the Ministry of Culture, responsible for archaeological research, conservation, and preservation of cultural monuments. While ASI manages many of the sites under the initiative, the launch and overall coordination of the 'Adopt a Heritage' program are led by the Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and ASI.
• Ministry of Culture: The Ministry of Culture is responsible for the preservation and promotion of Indian art and culture. It oversees the ASI and other cultural institutions. While closely involved, the 'Adopt a Heritage' initiative is primarily driven by the Ministry of Tourism, given its focus on improving sites for tourism purposes through corporate participation.

Role of Ministries in 'Adopt a Heritage'

The 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan' scheme is a collaborative effort. However, the initiative was spearheaded and launched by the Ministry of Tourism. It seeks to partner with private sector entities who would take up the responsibility of maintaining and developing tourist amenities at selected heritage sites.

The key objective is to enhance the tourist experience at these sites, which is a core function of the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Culture and ASI provide expertise regarding conservation and site management, but the framework for corporate adoption and tourism-centric development comes under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism.

Therefore, the 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan' initiative is primarily an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism.

Revision Table: Understanding Roles

Additional Information on Heritage Adoption

The 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme invites 'Monument Mitras' (Friends of the Monument) from the private and public sectors to adopt heritage sites. These entities are chosen based on their vision for developing tourism amenities. The duration of the adoption is typically five years, with an option to extend.

The initiative aims to provide basic amenities like clean toilets, drinking water, signages, and eventually more advanced facilities like visitor centres, Wi-Fi, and interpretation centres, all while maintaining the historical integrity of the site. The 'Monument Mitras' do not get ownership of the site but commit to developing and maintaining the facilities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or other initiatives.

The scheme is a key step towards leveraging corporate resources for maintaining and upgrading facilities at important heritage sites, thereby boosting tourism.