Archaeological Survey of India policy to have disaster clause

NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India has included a section on disaster management in the new national conservation policy for protected monuments.

Besides stating that the “disaster management plan should be made an important pre-requisite of the conservation plan for a monument”, the proposed norms also say access and evacuation routes and spaces should be clearly demarcated and indicated through appropriate signage for visitors to improve response mechanism.

The section on disaster management outlines the significance of having such a plan in place. “Monuments and archaeological sites are increasingly being subject to a variety of hazards (natural and human-induced), exposing their vulnerability to threats and risks. It is important for all agencies concerned to be sufficiently prepared to mitigate a disaster, should it strike, and to develop mechanisms for quick response and recovery,” said an official.

The conservation manual also highlights the importance of training officials to avert possible disasters. “Adequate training should be provided to the monument in-charge to identify disasters that can have deleterious impact on a monument on the basis of the past history of disasters in the region, undertake impact assessment for visualizing disaster scenarios, assess current levels of preparedness to mitigate disasters, and coordinate with various agencies (central, state and local) for developing a quick-response, post-disaster programmes and action,” reads the manual.

With Delhi located in seismic zone IV, officials said one has to be prepared for emergencies. “All facilities possible should be provided within the monument, to be located at an appropriate location, to give emergency treatment to the victim[s] of a disaster before proper medical attention can be provided to him/her… All efforts should be put in place to safeguard the lives of people within the monument or living in its vicinity, and safeguard the monument,” reads the manual.

Extra precaution is also to be taken in monuments and their structural members (material, construction technique, jointing, etc) which are to be examined to determine their behaviour against disasters. “Should there be a need, necessary minimum retrofitting of a monument may be carried out for its sufficient consolidation and to mitigate disasters,” said an official.

The proposed norms say access and evacuation routes and spaces should be clearly demarcated and indicated through appropriate signage for visitors to improve response mechanism