The 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme is a program initiated by the Indian government in 2017 to allow private firms, companies, and public sector units to adopt and maintain State-owned archaeological sites or monuments. Under the new version of the scheme, businesses may use their Corporate Social Responsibility funds at select sites to construct and maintain ticket offices, restaurants, museums, interpretation centers, toilets, and walkways. They may also set up guided tours, hold cultural programs, and fix equipment for light and sound shows.
Nachiket Chanchani argues against the scheme as it allows businesses to take over the responsibility of building and maintaining museums and interpretation centers, which threatens India's understanding of its past. Furthermore, the scheme ignores the mandate of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and abandons The Sarnath Initiative, guidelines devised by the ASI, the Getty Trust, U.S., the British Museum, and National Culture Fund to safe keep excavated objects and present them to visitors in an engaging manner. The adoption of the scheme by businesses may also undermine the livelihoods of local communities and their relationships with historical sites. Finally, the scheme might lead to the alteration of the historical character of the monuments without much opposition.