Vidhi Codex

THE HIMACHAL PRADESH ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND ARCHAELOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1976

The Himachal Pradesh Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaelogical Sites and Remains Act, 1976

General197639 sections

This state law regulates the protection, preservation, and acquisition of historical monuments, archaeological sites, and antiquities in Himachal Pradesh that are not classified as being of national importance. It applies to private property owners, land occupiers, local panchayats, state archaeological authorities, and the general public. This legislation matters because it safeguards the state's irreplaceable cultural heritage and historical footprint from destruction, neglect, and unauthorized construction. By establishing maintenance agreements, restricting harmful activities like mining, and securing public access, the law permanently ensures these historic treasures are preserved for future generations while also actively respecting and protecting local places of worship.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title, extent and commencement
  3. 2. Definitions.- In this Acts, unless the context otherwise requires,-
  4. 3. Certain ancient and historical monuments, etc. deemed to be protected monuments or areas
  5. 4. Power of Government to declare ancient monuments etc. to be protected monuments and areas
  6. 5. Acquisition of rights in a protected monument
  7. 6. Preservation of protected monument by agreement
  8. 7. Persons competent to exercise powers of owner under section 6 in respect of a protected monument, when owner is under
  9. 8. Application of endowment to repair a protected monument
  10. 9. Failure or refusal to enter into an agreement
  11. 10. Power to make order prohibiting contravention of agreement under section 6
  12. 11. Enforcement of agreement
  13. 12. Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed by owner
  14. 13. Acquisition of protected monument
  15. 14. Maintenance of certain protected monuments
  16. 15. Voluntary contributions
  17. 16. Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration
  18. 17. Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument
  19. 18. Rights of access to protected monuments
  20. 19. Restrictions on enjoyment of proprietary rights in protected areas
  21. 20. Power to acquire protected areas
  22. 21. Excavations in protected areas
  23. 22. Excavations in areas other than protected areas
  24. 23. Compulsory purchase of antiquities etc., discovered during excavation operations
  25. 24. Excavations etc., for archaeological purposes
  26. 25. Power of Government to control moving of antiquities
  27. 26. Purchase of antiquities by Government
  28. 27. Compensation for loss or damage
  29. 28. Assessment of market value or compensation
  30. 29. Delegation of powers
  31. 30. Penalties.-(1) Whoever,-
  32. 31. Jurisdiction to try offences.- No court inferior to that of a
  33. 32. Certain offences to be cognizable
  34. 33. Recovery of amount due to the Government
  35. 34. Ancient monuments, etc. no longer requiring protection
  36. 35. Power to correct mistakes
  37. 36. Protection of action taken under the Act
  38. 37. Power to make rules
  39. 38. Repeal and savings

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