Dhauli gram panchayat sarpanch Rabi Moharana has urged the State Government to take immediate steps to stop illegal sand lifting and tree cutting from either sides of Daya river in order to protect the environment around the world tourist site Dhauli Monument.
“The Peace Pagoda is under the threat of environmental crisis as the sand mining activities are being carried on the both sides of river due to deliberate negligence of the concerned Government officials.This has hindered smooth flow of water in the river and sustenance of forest cover. Besides, the Government is losing crores of rupees,” Mohapatra mentioned in his letter submitted to Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda and Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Dr Taradatt recently. He further informed that miscreants are mercilessly cutting trees from the river bank area, causing threat to the monument.
Notably, the Buddhist heritage tombstone stands on Daya river as a historic memory of the Kalinga War in which King Ashok underwent radical changes after seeing loss of thousands of lives. The small hill atop which the monument stands is protected by forest cover down to the river bank on one side.