The Buddhist Quadrangle in Odisha has a lot of prospects for being selected as a world heritage site,” said Dr Sitakant Mahapatra who was earlier Secretary, Culture, in the Government of India.
The renowned poet and anthropologist was delivering the keynote address at a seminar on “Potential World Heritage Sites in Odisha” conducted by the Bhubaneswar Chapter of the INTACH on Wednesday.
He said Bhubaneswar once had the potential to become such a site but lost the chance after the 1970s when it lost its character due to indiscriminate building activities around the beautiful heritage monuments that dotted the capital city. He said such recognition is given to very few sites in the world, and to work for it is not only the responsibility of Government but also of the citizens who should care and love their heritage. Heritage does not consist only of monuments and artefacts but also natural sites whose vintage glory should be conserved.
“This is a unique date in the calendar which will not recur during our lifetime. Hence it is our duty to remember the deliberations and make the world sit up and take notice of the treasure trove of heritage that has been left by our ancestors and conserve it for future generations,” said INTACH chapter convenor H Balakrishnan.
Earlier, INTACH State convenor AB Tripathy spoke about the parameters for recognition by the UNESCO. He said the Government should exercise both its power and responsibility to ensure that ancient sites like Sisupalgarh, Bhitarkanika and the Buddhist Quadrangle are nurtured and preserved.
The focus of the seminar was on two sites, Bhiarkanika that has already been shortlisted, and the Buddhist Quadrangle consisting of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, lalitgiri and langudi where new discoveries are made from excavations continually.
Dr Chandrasekhar Kar, after whom the first satellite-fitted sea turtle was named “Chandra”, gave a rich presentation of the fauna and flora of the Bhitarkanika, where he spent 37 years as a researcher. He said God has given this biosphere the only place in the world (Gahirmatha) where several thousands of sea turtles gather for mass nesting every year.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University Dr Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi shared with the audience her experiences during research on turtles and crocodiles. Founder-Director, Central Institute of Indian languages, Mysore Dr DP Pattnaik, former BPUT Vice-Chancellor Dr Omkar Mahanty, former Ambassador Abasar Beuria and many other intellectuals participated in the seminar.
Dr Jeevan K Patnaik, Dptuty Superintendent, ASI, Odisha Circle, gave a presentation on the various excavations conducted since early 20th century in the Buddhist Quadrangle.
Dr Sunil K Patnaik, who had led the excavations and has published books and several research papers on the subject, gave a presentation on recent excavations in langudi and other places in Jajpur district. Wherever a road is laid, a canal dug or a foundation for a building is built surprising new facets of this ancient home of Buddhist culture dating back to the 2nd Century BC are coming to light, he said.
Anil Dhir summed up the panel discussions and Abanis Nayak, co-convenor, proposed the vote of thanks.