National Monuments Authority
Also called: NMA · Topic: Studying Indian History: Sources, Dating and Historiography · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The National Monuments Authority (NMA) is a body under the Ministry of Culture. It was set up by the 2010 amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act. It looks after the areas around centrally protected monuments. The "prohibited area" is the land within 100 metres of a monument, and new building there is generally not allowed. The "regulated area" is the next 200 metres, and building there needs permission. The NMA's role is to stop careless construction from damaging monuments.
Example
Anyone who wants to build or repair a house within the regulated area of a centrally protected monument, such as Qutb Minar in Delhi, must get permission through the NMA process.
Don't confuse with
- Archaeological Survey of India: it excavates and conserves the monuments themselves. The NMA deals with building activity around them.
Related concepts
- Alexander Cunningham
- Archaeological Survey of India
- Illustrated London News
- Discovery of the Harappan civilisation
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958
- National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities
- Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972
- Repatriation of antiquities