AMASRA: 2.44 Section 24. Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes.

2.44 Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes

2.44.1 Bare Act Provision:

24. Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes.―No State Government shall undertake or authorise any person to undertake any excavation or other like operation for archaeological purposes in any area which is not a protected area except with the previous approval of the Central Government and in accordance with such rules or directions, if any, as the Central Government may make or give in this behalf.

2.44.2 Interpretation

Section 24 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, regulates excavations for archaeological purposes in areas not designated as protected areas by requiring Central Government approval. State Governments, or anyone they authorize, cannot conduct excavations or similar archaeological activities, e.g., surveys or explorations, in areas that are not protected areas under the AMASR Act without first getting approval from the Central Government. They must also follow any rules or instructions the Central Government provides for such activities. This provision ensures centralized oversight of archaeological excavations in non-protected areas to prevent unauthorized or harmful activities that could damage potential heritage sites, maintaining national control over Bharat’s archaeological resources while coordinating with state-level efforts.