Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster and disaster management.
5)Discuss the mandate, organizational structure and functioning of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).(250 words)
Why this question
Recently ASI was questioned by the Supreme Court of India for its ability to restore Taj Mahal. The question is related to the GS-3 syllabus under the following heading-
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster and disaster management.
Key demand of the question
The question simply wants us to write at length about the structure, functioning and mandate of Archaeological Survey of India.
Directive word
Discuss- as an all encompassing directive it wants us to dig deep into the question and write in detail about the structure, functioning and mandate of ASI.
Structure of the answer
introduction- give a brief description of ASI-
The Archaeological Survey of India is an attached office of the Ministry of Culture. Under the provisions of the AMASR Act of 1958, the ASI administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. These can include everything from temples, mosques, churches, tombs, and cemeteries to palaces, forts, step-wells, and rock-cut caves.
Body–
- briefly discuss the formation and early history of ASI- e.g ASI was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General etc.
- Discuss the organizational structure of ASI.
- Discuss the legislations giving powers to ASI.
- Discuss in points, the key functions of ASI.
Conclusion– mention the importance of ASI in discovering, preserving and studying our ancient past etc.
