“Opinion | Why Private Conservation Funding For Monuments Is A Public Need”, News 18, January 28, 2026
“Who maintains Stonehenge, one of Britain’s oldest and most visited monuments? Clue: it is not the UK government. Stonehenge and many other historic structures are maintained by English Heritage Trust, which is neither a quango nor a government entity; it is a charity which is led mostly by people who have reached positions of eminence in the private sector. And no one can quibble that monuments are ineptly or inadequately conserved and preserved there.
Monuments in India are now set to be preserved and maintained by private entities who are major contributors to the National Culture Fund, via the expertise of government empanelled. conservation architects in accordance with plans approved by the Archaeological Survey of India. The only aspect left to the discretion of private companies is the choice of agencies to execute the projects. As the ASI is under-staffed and cash strapped, this is a practical solution.
As it is, there have been periodic complaints, both from the general public and VIPs (including the PMO), about the poor state of maintenance of monuments and heritage sites under ASI “protection”. The glacial pace of government departments is known but the quality of ASI’s work has been. under the scanner too as well as its internal capacity to physically man and maintain thousands of monuments. Partnership for funding and maintenance is a no-brainer……”
Read full article at news18.com
