Bill creates statutory heritage body, references 1977 UNESCO ratification

The Bill proposes to establish a National Commission for Heritage Sites to identify, protect, conserve, and manage cultural and natural heritage sites in India. It aims to implement international commitments made under UNESCO conventions by creating a dedicated body to oversee these matters.

The law affects the Central and State Governments (who appoint the Commission and notify sites), the National Commission for Heritage Sites (the new body), and any person who owns, possesses, or controls a heritage site (who must comply with the Commission's directions).

• Constitutes a National Commission for Heritage Sites as a body corporate with perpetual succession.
• Defines 'heritage site' to include cultural, natural, mixed, and cultural landscape sites of outstanding value.
• Empowers the Central Government to notify heritage sites and enter them into a roster maintained by the Commission.
• Specifies the composition of the Commission: a Chairperson, seven members, and a Member-Secretary, all appointed by the Central Government based on specific experience and integrity criteria.
• Sets a five-year term for the Chairperson and members, with a maximum age limit of 65 years.
• Outlines functions including recommending policies, laying down standards, conducting research, and nominating sites for the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• Grants the Commission power to issue directions to owners or controllers of heritage sites to provide access for maintenance or to stop acts that endanger the site.
• Prescribes penalties for failure to comply with the Commission's directions (text truncated before specifying the exact penalty).

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