Port Blair, Sept. 1: In order to train the staffs of the Documentation Centers a regional workshop on built heritage, Sites and antiquities has been scheduled at JNRM, Port Blair during 2nd-3rd September 2010 by the Directorate of NMMA Archaeological Survey of India, Gol, New Delhi in association with the Department of SAC, A&N Administration. The first day of the workshop will be devoted for imparting visual training on documentation process to different Centers. The next day will be field visit to various built heritage sites in Port Blair. A two day photo exhibition will also be organized depicting the diverse cultural heritage of India. 

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities was launched in March 2007. The main objective of the mission is to prepare a national level database on monuments, sites and antiquities in the country in an uniform format. The work has been entrusted to the NMMA with Archaeological Survey of India as the nodal agency. To implement the activities of NMMA, a State Level Implementation Committee (SLIC) has been constituted for A&N Islands under the chairpersonship of Pr. Secretary (SAC), A&N Administration with various members of A&N Administration and Government of India. The SLIC would identify professional institutions and individuals who can undertake projects relating to documentation of built heritage, sites and antiquities. It would also liaise with the Mission at the national level, be responsible for conducting awareness and training programmes for capacity building, and periodically review and monitor the mission's work in the state. 

The workshop will be inaugurated by Principal Secretary (SAC), A&N Administration on 2nd September 2010 at 3.00 PM in the Conference Hall of JNRM, Port Blair.