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Plea to Centre on heritage sites

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa government has reiterated its demand for declaration of some of the heritage sites of the State as world heritage site by the UNESCO. It has further asked the Centre to transfer four such spots to the custody of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The demands were put forth at a high-level meeting between Union Culture Secretary Abhijit Sengupta and Chief Secretary A.K. Tripathy at the State Secretariat here on Monday. Mr. Sen is on a four-day visit to the State to hold discussions with the State government regarding release of the land meant for establishment of the regional centre of the National Archive of India in Madhusudan Nagar here from encroachers. Although the land was allotted eight years ago, it is yet to be freed.

During the discussion, Mr. Sengupta was requested to ensure that the Ministry of Culture recommends Khandagiri-Udaygiri caves, Ranipur-Jharial and the ancient temples of old Bhubaneswar as UNESCO recognised world heritage site, said an official of the State Culture Department. The Centre was also requested to transfer Nrusimhanath temple, Shiv shrine in Chandaka sanctuary and Kalarahanda heritage site to the custody of the ASI for better upkeep.

The State government also reiterated its request to provide funds for converting the homes of nine prominent personalities of Orissa into memorial museums.

The list includes the houses of Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Surendra Sai, Madho Singh, Hati Singh and Biju Patnaik. The Centre had earlier rejected the proposal, it was learnt.

During his visit, Mr. Sengupta reviewed the conservation aspects of the heritage sites in and around the State capital.

He also visited the State-owned Odissi Research Centre.

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