Order of the Madras High Court on the matter of safeguarding of archaeological monuments in Tamil Nadu, 07/06/2021
Order of the Madras High Court dated 07/06/2021 in the matter of Suo Motu Vs Archaeological Survey of India & Others regarding safeguarding of archaeological monuments in Tamil Nadu.
The Madras High Court, June 7, 2021 in a slew of measures directed the concerned authorities to establish Mamallapuram World Heritage Area Management Authority to manage and safeguard all the monuments and the same to be notified within a period of eight weeks.
A Heritage Commission comprising 17 members would act as an advisory body to the Mamallapuram World Heritage Area Management Authority and the state government. The Heritage Commission would be responsible for the identification of all the structures, monuments, temples, antiques with historical/archaeological importance within Tamil Nadu, formulate a list with age of such monuments by categorising them within their period group, issuing appropriate notification, rendering periodical advice to the state, supervising the restoration, repair works etc. and maintaining the same.
No structural alteration or repair of any monument/temple/idol/sculpture/murals of which are notified either under the Central Act or the State Act, shall take place without the sanction of the Heritage Commission, according to the 225 page order passed by Justices R. Mahadevan and P.D. Audikesavalu of the Madras High Court.