How to become Monument Mitra

The ‘Adopt a Heritage' scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India. It launched in September 2017 on World Tourism Day by President Ram Nath Kovind. Under it, the government invites entities, including public sector companies, private sector firms, and individuals, to develop selected monuments and heritage and tourist sites across India. Development of these tourist sites calls for providing and maintaining basic amenities, including drinking water, ease of access for the abled and senior citizens, standardized signage, cleanliness, public conveniences, and illumination, along with advanced amenities such as surveillance systems, night-viewing facilities, and tourism facilitation centres.

The sites/monument are selected based on tourist footfall and visibility and can be adopted by private and public sector companies Trusts, NGOs, and individuals — known as Monument Mitras — for five years.

The process for selection of the Monument Mitra, Heritage / Natural/ Tourist sites for adoption is divided into three stages.

1. Expression of Interest: The ‘Prospective Monument Mitras’ would put forth their interest through ‘Expression of Interest’ (EoI), wherein they propose adoption of the Monument / Site of their choice.

2. Letter of Intent: The short-listing of the EoI shall be carried out by the Oversight and Vision Committee, post which the Monument Mitra shall be issued a Letter of Intent (LoI).

3. Vision Bidding: The Prospective Monument Mitras (private and public sector companies, Trusts, NGOs, and individuals) who have been issued the Letter of Intent for the site(s) are required to present their vision for the development of all necessary basic and advanced amenities for each of their selected sites

4. Memorandum of Understanding: On approval of the Vision bid, the Monument Mitra signs an MoU for the finalized proposal, after which the implementation begins

The oversight committee also has the power to end a memorandum of understanding in case of non-compliance or non-performance.

The Corporate sector is expected to use corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for the upkeep of the site. Some corporates that have Adopt a heritage under "Adopt a Heritage site" are the Dalmia Bharat Limited and yatra online, Indigo Airlines, etc.,

The government has put up a list of over 93 ASI monuments that can be bid for by private and public sector firms, and individuals. This is a small list, as the ASI protects 3,686 ancient monuments and archaeological sites, including 36 world heritage sites. So far, it has approved 31 agencies or Monument Mitras to adopt 95 monuments/tourist sites. However, only four MoUs have been signed. These are between the Ministry of Tourism, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. These include the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, Kangra Fort in Himachal Pradesh, Buddhist Kaneri caves in Mumbai, among others.

Sites not maintained by the ASI, such as Chitkool village in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Thembang in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Sati Ghat at Haridwar, Uttarakhand are also proposed under the "Adopt a heritage" Scheme for the maintenance of this places professionally.

While the Dalmia group has bagged Red Fort along with Gandikota Fort in Andhra Pradesh, it is also said to be in the ultimate stages of bagging the contract for the Sun Temple in Konark. Meanwhile, GMR Sports and ITC are the finalists in the race to adopt the Taj Mahal.

The Red Fort became the first site in the history that was adopted by Dalmia Bharat Limited under the CSR initiative for a period of 5 years. It is seen that Red Fort has done amazing maintenance in the flooring, fencing and in interest for the physically challenged people Dalmia has proposed newer ideas for there benefits. Which has certainly attracted the tourist. And also helping the monuments to stay preserved.