Gogoi orders protection of Assam's historical monuments

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday ordered the formation of a committee for protection and preservation of the ancient and historical monuments in the state.

In a directive to the chief secretary, he called for the constitution of a committee to formulate an action plan for the purpose.

According to an official statement, he said the committee would "formulate a scientific and systematic action plan for the protection of all the historical monuments in the state".

The committee, according to Gogoi, will study all the relevant aspects and suggest recommendations leading to repairing, restoring and preserving ancient and historical monuments.

The state government will also approach the central government for matching financial assistance in its bid for the preservation and protection of ancient and historical monuments in Assam.

There are two Unesco World Heritage Sites in Assam - Kaziranga National Park, famous for the one-horned rhinoceros; and Manas National Park, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve.

Gogoi's directive is expected to put focus on the historical monuments of Sivasagar, the capital of Assam's erstwhile Ahom kingdom, among others.