Photographers may need licence for operating at monuments: Culture Ministry

The initiative is to ensure availability of quality photographers as well as end the harassment of visitors

Culture Ministry is likely to make it mandatory for photographers to obtain licence for operating at monuments under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

"It will be necessary to have a licence for operating commercially at monuments. The announcement of amendment in ASI's photography policy may be made in early next month," a source said.

Currently, anybody can get into commercial photography at the monuments, he said, adding that there are times when these freelance photographers pester the visitors for clicking their pictures to a level it becomes very uncomfortable.

"The initiative would also ensure availability of quality photographers as well as end the harassment of visitors," he said.

Depending on the actual requirement of professionals at each monument, ASI will determine the number of photographers to be deployed for commercial operation at each site.

Currently, ASI, which is under Culture Ministry, has over 3,600 monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.

These monuments and sites are maintained and preserved through various circles of the ASI spread all over the country.