As part of the Government’s ‘Swachchh Bharat, Swachchh Smarak’ campaign, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments across the country have been declared ‘polythene-free zones’.
The Union Tourism Ministry has issued advisory to all States to keep monuments polythene-free up to 300 meters from their protected boundaries, said Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma at a joint Press conference on ‘Swachchh Bharat Mission’ along with Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
On October 2, the Government had announced a complete ban on polythene in the radius of 100 metres around over 3,680 monuments which are under the jurisdiction of the ASI.
The area between 100 to 300 metres around the monuments, which is called regulated zone, falls under the jurisdiction of the State Governments.
He said his ministry also plans to bring in some laws to impose strict implementation of the polythene-free initiative in the areas which are under the jurisdiction of ASI.
An official said the initiative will be reviewed after a month to decide on the need of imposing fines on offenders.
Sharma also announced sanctioning of ‘350 crore to provide facilities like protected boundaries, toilets and disabled friendly access in all the ASI monuments.
He said that 75 monuments, including Safdarjung Tomb and Purana Qila in Delhi and Agra Fort and Akbar’s Tomb in Uttar Pradesh, have been added to the list of 25 monuments under Adarsh Smarak Scheme for upgradation of tourist related amenities.
These monuments are also covered under ‘Swachh Paryatan Mobile App’ through which general public can communicate their complaints about any unclean area or garbage piles in and around the tourist destination.