India's monumental problems

THE Archeological Survey of India, responsible for preserving historical monuments, is fighting a losing battle against the Indian Government in an effort to conserve major Indian monuments.

Senior officials from the 134-year-old ASI hold the government responsible for 'relentlessly' promoting tourism by endangering wonders like the Taj Mahal and ancient Hindu temples, famed for their erotic sculptures, at Khajuraho some 700 kilometres west of New Delhi.

While the 9th century Khajuraho temples have, for over two decades, developed cracks due to the vibrations from overflying aircraft, ASI experts say plans to floodlight the Taj Mahal in Agra later this year will lead to the bio-deterioration of the awesome white marble monument.

Survey officials have, unsuccessfully, also opposed the introduction of a sound-and-light show inside Agra's Red Fort as it will entail ripping up large portions of 16th century flooring to instal cables.

'The Government has an attitude of philistinism towards monuments,' said an ASI official in New Delhi.

He said the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism working in tandem with travel operators were only interested in promoting tourism, paying scant attention to ecology or sensitivity to ancient monuments.

Art lovers and ASI officials say India's 'flagship' monuments, which the Government is promoting as its main tourist attractions, are the very ones which are being endangered by the tourism ministry.