The state also has 29 protected monuments of the Central Archaeology Department (Archaeological Survey of India) in addition to the protected monuments of the State Archaeology Department. These monuments are under the charge of the Archaeological Survey of India, Thrissur Circle.
Kasaragod Bekal Fort, Kannur Fort, Thrissur Vadakkumnatha Temple, Palakkad Tipu Sultan Fort, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Anchuthengu Fort and Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple are among such centrally protected monuments. They are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
By making some important amendments to this Act, the Parliament of India passed the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010. As per Sub-Section (DB) of Section II of this Amendment Act, the Central Government has designated the Commissioners/Directors of Archaeology Department of various States as the Competent Authority for Centrally Protected Monuments in their respective States.
According to this, the competent authority for all 29 centrally protected monuments under the Thrissur Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India is the Director of the State Archaeology Department. According to this rule, 100 metres from the boundary of each Centrally Protected Monument is a prohibited zone and the next 200 metres is a restricted zone. The competent authority is tasked with regulating and granting permission for excavation, construction, etc. activities in this area.
No new construction will be allowed in the prohibited area within 100 metres of the monument. The Competent Authority may grant permission, subject to conditions, to protect existing structures (including houses) by strengthening them in their original form. Applications for new constructions and renovations of existing ones within the next 200 metres restricted area may be accepted and permission may be granted or denied subject to the approval of the National Monuments Authority (NMA) by conducting site inspections and sending an appropriate report to the NMA in Delhi by the Competent Authority. The competent authority shall ensure that the construction is in accordance with the provisions of the NMA. The Head of the State Archaeology Department has been provided with the power and rank of a Class-1 officer by the Central Government to exercise the powers as a Competent Authority under the provisions of the AMASR (AV) Act, 2010. For this purpose, a special office is working under the Directorate of State Archaeology.
Address to Contact:
The Competent Authority
AMASR (AV) Act, 2010
Sreepadam Palace
Fort P. O
Thiruvananthapuram-23
Click here to see the list of Centrally protected monuments in Kerala
