Jajpur collector asked to take action against encroachers in Buddhist sites

Kendrapada: Officials of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Wednesday urged the Jajpur district collector to initiate stringent legal action against encroachers and illegal stone quarry operators to protect the Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri and Udayagiri.The officials said some individuals have recently begun illegal construction of a park and an electricity department office within the prohibited zone of the Udayagiri site without ASI’s permission. “During our recent visit, we noticed these constructions as well as unlawful stone quarrying at Solapuama, Dhauriapada and Chandia hillocks within Udayagiri. Several people have also encroached upon ASI land at Ratnagiri by building houses,” Milan Kumar Chauley, superintending archaeologist, ASI (Puri circle), said.He added that the district administration has been urged to act against the encroachers and halt illegal quarrying to prevent damage to the protected monuments. “No permanent construction is permitted within 100 metres of protected sites, as it can harm sculptures and historical structures. We have also lodged a complaint with Balichandrapur police. The issue is being treated with utmost priority,” Chauley said.

Jajpur collector Ambar Kumar Kar said the administration would soon evict encroachers and stop illegal quarrying activities in areas under ASI protection.Historians and researchers expressed concern over the developments, stressing that the sites are critical to the region’s cultural identity and heritage. “Large-scale quarrying poses a serious threat to Udayagiri. Removal of stones from the base of the hills has left portions vulnerable to collapse,” Suvendu Bhuyan, a researcher, said.“While the Constitution calls upon citizens to protect heritage, there is also a need for awareness and guidance on conservation,” Dr Basudev Das, another researcher, said. Sailendra Narayan Ray, joint convener of the Udayagiri Buddha Mahotsav Samiti, said, “Odisha has long been a major centre of Buddhism, attracting scholars and monks over centuries and leaving a lasting impact on the state’s art, architecture and cultural traditions.

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