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Documentation Standards·Reference sheet

Heritage Buffer Zone Mapping Reference (AMASR)

Understand and map the prohibited and regulated zones around centrally protected monuments in India under the AMASR Act and its amendments. Use this as a reference when planning construction, development or documentation near a protected monument, and to record whether the buffer rules apply to your project.

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What the buffer zones are

Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act and its 2010 amendment, the land around every centrally protected monument is divided into a prohibited area and a regulated area, measured from the protected limits of the monument. Construction and development in these zones are restricted, and clearance from the National Monuments Authority (NMA) is required for regulated-area works.

This reference summarises the standard distances. Always confirm against the current notification for the specific monument, as some sites carry their own detailed heritage bye-laws.

Prohibited and regulated areas

ZoneDistance from protected limitWhat applies
Prohibited areaUp to 100 metresNo new construction; only repair/renovation of existing structures with permission
Regulated area100–300 metres (next 200m)Construction regulated; NMA permission required
Beyond regulated area> 300 metresAMASR buffer rules do not apply; local rules still do

Mapping workflow

To map the buffer for a monument: (1) obtain the protected limits of the monument from the ASI notification; (2) in GIS, buffer those limits by 100m for the prohibited area and 300m for the outer regulated limit; (3) overlay the proposed site or works; (4) determine which zone the works fall in; (5) if in the regulated area, prepare the case for NMA permission.

Applicability record

Record the buffer assessment for your site
MonumentProtection levelDistance to monumentZone (prohibited / regulated / outside)NMA permission needed?