New Delhi, March 16. (UNI): After chemical agents that pollute the atmosphere around national monuments, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has now added fungi, algae and lichens growing on our heritage to its hit list.
On Tuesday, the ASI took the first step in protecting the heritage from bio-deterioration by signing an agreement for scientific cooperation with a Belgian pharma company which successfully protected the famous Terracota Warriors in China and the Mummies in Egypt.
Under the agreement, the World Heritage Site Hampi temple complex and Tipu Sultan's Palace in Karnataka will be treated for bio-degradation in the next three years.
Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium, who are on a state visit to India, put the cultural cooperation between the two countries on a high pedestal by attending the signing ceremony.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ASI director general C Babu Rajeev and Dr Alex Valcke, vice president (Plant and Material Protection) of Janssen Pharmaceutica.
"This agreement will strengthen the efforts of ASI in combating bio-deterioation of our monuments," said Mr Rajeev.