New Delhi, Feb. 6 -- Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that there are 3,698 centrally protected monuments and sites under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

These monuments are regularly conserved and maintained based on requirements and available resources.

In his written reply, the minister emphasized the government's ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the country's cultural heritage in the face of growing pressures from commercialization and urbanization. The preservation activities are carried out under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and associated rules.

Shekhawat explained tha...