Taking photographs at Hampi, the Taj Mahal and other site museums of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) with high-end cameras and accessories will no longer be free.
In order to capture memorable pictures of these historical sites using multiple lenses, tripods, monopods and flashlights, tourists will have to obtain permission from authorities at least 15 days in advance and pay a fee.
Capturing pictures on mobile phones will remain open to the public in all the museums free of cost, provided they are used for personal reasons only, and not for commercial purposes. There will also be strict prohibition on the use of selfie sticks.
“A fee amounting to Rs 750 per photograph shall be charged from the applicant who intends to use it for commercial purposes. The ASI shall be acknowledged while using the photograph,” the rules stipulate.
The move is primarily aimed at generating more revenue and maintaining discipline on the ASI’s site museums, located across the country. In view of the rising number of accidents, selfies are already prohibited in danger zones identified at various historical sites under the ASI.
K Moortheswari, superintending archaeologist, Bengaluru Circle, ASI, said the decision to ban selfie sticks was taken in order to safeguard antiquities, recovered from ancient sites. There are many things which should not be photographed and people, in the guise of using selfie sticks, tend to photograph them.
Published 16 July 2017, 20:47 IST