Project Mausam:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently organised a National Workshop on the Project Mausam titled as – “Islands at the Crossroads of Maritime Networks within Indian Ocean Region’’.
- It is an Indian government-led cultural-diplomacy and maritime heritage initiative launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Culture.
- It aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean ‘world’ – collating archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity of cultural, commercial, and religious interactions in the Indian Ocean.
- A total of 39 Indian Ocean countries have been identified under Project Mausam.
- The main objective of the project is to inscribe places and sites identified under Project Mausam as trans-national nominations for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
- It also aims to promote research on themes related to the study of maritime routes through international scientific seminars and meetings and by adopting a multidisciplinary approach.
- It aims to encourage the production of specialized works, as well as publications for the general public, with an attempt at promoting a broader understanding of the concept of a common heritage and multiple identities.
- The project will have two major units:
- Project Research Unit
- World Heritage Nomination Unit.
- The project is implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and National Museum as associate bodies.
