Odisha Government Plans Major Drive to Preserve and Promote Heritage Sites

High-level meeting stresses preservation, beautification, and global showcasing of state’s monuments

Bhubaneswar : The Odisha government has decided to intensify efforts to preserve and promote its rich cultural heritage by focusing on the restoration and beautification of ancient monuments. A high-level meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan brought together Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida, Law and Public Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabansi Suraj to chart out an action plan. The leaders emphasised that Odisha’s vast history and architectural brilliance must be presented to the world to boost tourism and strengthen cultural identity.

According to officials, Odisha is home to over 3,000 historical and cultural sites. However, only 82 of these are currently under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), while 212 are maintained by the State Archaeological Survey. The remaining thousands of monuments, many of which hold immense archaeological and cultural value, remain neglected.

Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida highlighted the urgent need for a systematic approach to protect these sites. She proposed the creation of a dedicated task force that would coordinate efforts between the Tourism, Culture, and Heritage Departments. This task force would prepare detailed project plans, prioritise key monuments, and ensure sustainable conservation practices.

Law and Public Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stressed that heritage preservation must go hand in hand with infrastructure development. He argued that improved road connectivity and peripheral development around temples and heritage clusters would significantly enhance tourist inflow.

Harichandan further suggested the geo-tagging of ancient temples and heritage structures, enabling digital access and better mapping for visitors. He proposed creating a dedicated corridor connecting all Shakti Peethas in Odisha, which would not only strengthen religious tourism but also generate employment in rural areas.

He also highlighted the importance of developing zones related to Jagannath culture, noting that millions of devotees visit Odisha every year. By upgrading facilities and connectivity around such sacred sites, Odisha can establish itself as a leading spiritual tourism hub.

Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabansi Suraj raised serious concerns about Odisha’s monuments being smuggled abroad and sold for huge sums. He underscored the urgent need to safeguard heritage structures, sculptures, and artifacts from illegal trade.

Suraj proposed that in the first phase, the government should focus on preserving 75 historical monuments, coinciding with the 75th birth anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This symbolic step, he said, would not only protect valuable heritage but also showcase Odisha’s cultural pride at the national level.

He added that heritage conservation is not only about monuments but also about preserving language, literature, and traditional practices, which are equally integral to Odisha’s cultural identity.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Tourism Department, and Public Works Department. The officials discussed strategies for preparing detailed profiles of ancient monuments, including historical background, architectural details, and cultural significance.

It was decided that these profiles would serve as a foundation for drawing investment, designing promotional campaigns, and identifying sites that could be developed into world-class tourist attractions. Officials also agreed on launching awareness campaigns involving local communities to ensure people participate in heritage conservation.

The leaders at the meeting agreed that Odisha’s temples, caves, forts, and other monuments are a testimony to its glorious past and must be showcased on global platforms. With proper maintenance, beautification, and promotion, these sites could attract international tourists, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts.

Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida concluded that heritage preservation must be seen not as an isolated effort but as part of an integrated cultural policy. She said Odisha should emerge as a global destination where history, spirituality, and tradition converge.

The government’s renewed focus on preserving and promoting Odisha’s heritage signals a strong commitment to cultural pride and economic growth. By combining conservation with tourism development, the state aims to revive its ancient glory while creating new opportunities for local communities. With over 3,000 heritage sites waiting for attention, the proposed task force and departmental coordination could play a transformative role in shaping Odisha’s identity as a global cultural hub.