In a landmark step towards cultural conservation, the Odisha government has decided to introduce a comprehensive heritage policy aimed at protecting and preserving more than 3,000 ancient monuments and heritage sites scattered across the State. The decision was taken on Tuesday at a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, with senior officials from the Departments of Tourism, Culture, and Works in attendance.
The proposed heritage policy, to be spearheaded by the Department of Culture, will focus on a two-pronged strategy, preservation of historic structures and promotion of sustainable tourism. Odisha, often hailed as the land of temples and timeless traditions, is home to sites dating back as early as the 9th century BC. Many of these sites, however, are at risk of decay, neglect, or theft of priceless artefacts.
As part of the first phase, the Tourism Department will identify and prioritise 75 key heritage destinations across Odisha. These destinations will undergo world-class transformation with emphasis on infrastructure development, cleanliness, safety, and visitor-friendly facilities. The government hopes this will not only safeguard Odisha’s cultural legacy but also strengthen the State’s position on the global tourism map.
Deputy CM Pravati Parida, addressing a press conference, said: “Culture Department will bring a heritage policy in the State and identify 75 destinations. Decisions will be taken to provide all sorts of amenities and cleanliness at those 75 heritage destinations, and to make the sites tourism-friendly as well.”
She further stressed that the policy would converge the resources of multiple departments, enabling effective conservation. A dedicated task force will also be constituted to monitor execution and restoration work. “Odisha has several heritage sites which date back to the 9th century BC. It is seen that significant artefacts such as idols are missing in some heritage sites, and those missing artefacts will be restored in the process,” Parida added.
Experts and cultural enthusiasts have welcomed the move, seeing it as a much-needed push to preserve Odisha’s ancient heritage in the face of rapid urbanisation and modernisation. By combining conservation efforts with tourism development, the government aims to ensure that these sites remain not only symbols of the State’s glorious past but also pillars of its economic future.
This heritage policy marks a strategic beginning, where Odisha’s monuments will no longer just stand as silent testaments of history, but as living legacies for generations to come.
