Topic 1: EXERCISE LA PEROUSE – 2023
Context: The third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse is scheduled to be conducted in the Indian Ocean Region.
Key details:
- It is a multilateral naval exercise.
- Participants:
- Royal Australian Navy,
- French Navy,
- Indian Navy,
- Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force,
- Royal Navy and
- the United States Navy.
- It takes place biennially and is conducted by the French Navy.
- Aim:
- Enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimising maritime coordination amongst the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Topic 2: Mount Merapi volcano
Context: Mount Merapi volcano erupts in Indonesia.
Key details:
- Location:
- Mount Merapi, Gunung Merapi is an active stratovolcano located in Indonesia.
- Features:
- It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548.
- Merapi is the youngest in a group of volcanoes in southern Java.
- It is situated at a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australian Plate is subducting under the Sunda Plate.
Topic 3: Water Heritage Sites
Context: The Ministry of Jal Shakti had constituted a Committee to identify 75 Water Heritage Structure (WHS) in reference to 75 years of India’s Independence.
Key details:
- There is no provision under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to declare a site as a “Water Heritage Site” under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- In this connection, “Jal-Itihas” portal showcasing the 75 WHS was launched.
- At present there is no central fund allocated/disbursed for maintenance of these sites.
- What are water heritage sites?
- Water heritage usually involves with water environment that often faces inevitable changes due to demands of the later generations.
- Water heritage is found in spaces that are closely linked to traditions, rituals, and narratives.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
- The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act or AMASR Act provides for:
- the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance,
- for the regulation of archaeological excavations and
- for the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.
- The Archaeological Survey of India functions under the provisions of this act.
- Provisions:
- The AMASR Act of 1958 prohibits construction in a prohibited area of 100 metres around protected monuments.
- It does not permit construction in such prohibited areas even for public purposes, except under certain conditions.
- The Central government can extend the prohibited area beyond 100 meters.
- Amendment:
- The AMASR (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in 2017.
- It allows the government to take up infrastructure projects within prohibited areas around protected monuments.
- It introduced a definition for ‘public works’, which includes construction of any infrastructure that is financed and carried out by Central government for public purposes.
- It allows the Centre to allow public works based on the recommendation of the National Monuments Authority.
