Arunachal Pradesh Heritage Bill, 2015 passed in the Assembly

The state Assembly today passed the Arunachal Pradesh Heritage Bill, 2015 by voice vote, which was laid in the House on July 7 last by state Research minister Thangwang Wangham.
Wangham, while participating in the discussion, told the House that the bill was moved with an aim to make provisions for conservation and protection of heritage sites including buildings, artifacts, structures, areas, streets and precincts of historic, cultural or environmental significance and sites of scenic beauty.
The bill would also have provisions for conservation and protection of area of environment sensitivity and matters connected with it, he said.
Wangham said the state government would constitute the Arunachal Pradesh Heritage Authority (APHA) to look after all heritage sites and monuments in the state.

"Ziro, the Apatani Cultural Landscape in Lower Subansiri district and Thembang Village at Dirang under West Kameng district, are included in UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites. For inclusion of cultural or natural landscape as World Heritage Site, it requires an Act for proper safeguard of the natural, monumental and cultural heritage for which the bill was introduced," he said.
He said the local MLAs would be included as members of the APHA as suggested by BJP MLA Tage Taki from Ziro.

Taking part in the discussion, senior BJP member Japu Deru suggested for identification of all heritage sites in the state in consultation with the local people, while Congress member P D Sona termed it as a "thoughtful bill."

Stating that Arunachal was full of heritage sites, BJP MLA Laisam Simai suggested for enlisting the Stilwel Road, World War II cemetery near Jairampur in Changlang district with 1,000 graves, besides important stone pillars and bridges of Second World War period.
Senior Congress member C T Mein cited the example of holy Parsuram Kund in Namsai district said the famous pilgrimage site received thousands of pilgrims every year, but the state government was doing little for its conservation.
He also referred to Tameshwari Temple at Paya in the district, which could be enlisted in the world heritage list.
Women and Child Development minister Wanglin Lowangdon said the bill would inculcate the sense of belonging among the people, while Agriculture and Horticulture minister Chowna Mein suggested the Research Department be renamed as Cultural Research Department.

Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok, who was in the chair asked the minister to incorporate all important suggestions in the bill before adjourning the House for the day.