Current context: Karnataka has launched a village‑level antiquities survey, becoming the first Indian state to document inscriptions, sculptures and monuments at this granular scale.

Key Details

• Launch: Announced by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage on World Heritage Day.
• Scope: Geo‑tagging and inventory of every antiquity—inscriptions, sculptures, minor and major monuments—in all villages.

State‑Protected Sites:

• 800+ monuments under Karnataka’s protection
• 600+ sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
• Proposal submitted to add 110 more monuments
• Conservation Model: Operates under a Public‑Private Partnership (PPP) since 2001 with Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust.
• Funding split: 40% state department, 40% trust, 20% local community