NMMA has documented 14,00,740 Indian antiquities, the ministry said in its release.

 

Approximately 45,000 sites (unprotected) with archaeological remains were documented by Research Associates secondary sources like District and Imperial Gazetteers, journals, catalogues,un-published universities thesis, survey reports, etc.

 

According to the ministry, India has an extraordinarily rich, vast and diverse cultural heritage in the form of built heritage, archaeological sites and remains since prehistoric times. However, no comprehensive record in the form of database where such archaeological resources in terms of built heritage, sites and antiquities can be referred. As a result this finite, non-renewable and irreversible resource of our country is fast disappearing without any record for the posterity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a proper survey of such resources, and based on that an appropriate archaeological heritage resource management and policy can be formulated. 

 

India's former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during his Independence Day, 2003, speech had announced the setting up of a National Mission on India's Tangible Heritage. Accordingly the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities was launched on March 19,  2007.