The Meghalaya Heritage Act, 2012
The Meghalaya Heritage Act, 2012
The Meghalaya Heritage Act, 2012, is a legislative framework designed to identify, protect, and preserve the cultural, historical, and environmental heritage of Meghalaya. It establishes the Meghalaya Heritage Authority, which is responsible for listing heritage sites—ranging from ancient buildings and precincts to natural landmarks like sacred groves, hills, and water bodies—and creating conservation plans. The Act regulates development activities near these sites to prevent damage or unauthorized alteration. For ordinary citizens, this means that if you own or live near a designated heritage property, you must follow specific guidelines for repairs or construction to ensure the state's unique heritage remains intact for future generations.
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement
- 2. Amendment of Section 2
- 3. Declaration of heritage site, etc
- 4. Acquisition of heritage site
- 5. Temporary protection orders
- 6. Constitution of Authority
- 7. Power and Functions of the Authority
- 8. Appointment of officers and staff
- 9. Preparation, approval and sanction of heritage conservation plans
- 10. Provided that once the said plans are prepared by the Authority, all permissions for development that might affect the heritage sites shall be in conformity with the said plans.
- 11. Heritage Building, Site in Environmentally Sensitive Areas
- 12. Constitution of Heritage Fund
- 13. The Government shall approve the same with or without modification.
- 14. Penalties
- 15. Compounding of offences
- 16. Protection of action taken in good faith
- 17. Powers to make rules
- 18. Powers to make regulations
- 19. Placing of rules and Regulations
- 20. Power to remove difficulties
PDF: pending for this language.