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Journalism of Courage
BHUBANESWAR, Sept 4: In a major step to protect the world famous Sun Temple at Konark, the Archaeological Survey of India and Orissa Government have decided to declare 100 metres around the historic monument as prohibited area.
It has also been decided to declare 300 metres surrounding the 12th Century old monument as protected area to free the temple from illegal encroachment. This decisions were taken at a high-level joint meeting of the State Government and ASI held, on Wednesday, here.
According to reports, the senior officials have decided to clear all structures, including the market complex of the local urban body, within 300 metres. A direction in this regard has already been issued to the district authority of Puri. Many adverse remarks were published in a number of local dailies recently alleging encroachment of protected area of Sun Temple by the Konark Notified Area of Council in connivance with the ASI officials. The reports had made a hue and cry among environmentalists and archaeologists ofthe State.
In the meeting, director general of ASI Ajay Shankar told the meeting that the entry fee of Rs 5 for the Sun Temple would be withdrawn soon. He further assured the state government officials to carry-out massive plantation programme around the temple to beautify the complex and protect it from the sultry wind of the Bay of Bengal. Repairing work for the Nabagraha Temple would also begin soon, Shankar added.
The meeting further decided to undertake various projects to protect and preserve all important monuments of Orissa.
While flaying the indifferent attitude of the ASI towards preservation of historical monuments of the state at the meeting, Chief Secretary SB Mishra said that the state unit of ASI had surrendered Rs 34 lakh out of Rs 45 lakh allocated for the restoration of monuments during the financial year of 1997-98.
