India imposes by-law to protect Buddhist sites

TNN, Jul 23, 2011

KENDRAPADA, India -- Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CRPC were imposed at Udayagiri hillock recently to prevent rampant illegal quarrying, threatening famous Buddhist sites in the area under Jajpur district.

"Buddhist monuments in Udayagiri, declared protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, are under threat, thanks to illegal quarrying activities in close proximity of the protected site. The authority promulgated prohibitory orders to put a stop to the practice. We have also directed police to guard the Udayagiri hillock," said Darpani tahasildar Amiya Kumar Sahoo.

A Vajrayana centre during the 8th and 9th century AD, Udaygiri is home to remains of several stupas, one of them, the Dhyani Buddha, boasting descriptions in Vajrayana text, the official said.

"Even as a Central directive banned such activities within 5 km radius of any protected monument, there has been indiscriminate onslaught on the remains of various stupas here under the pretext of permits issued by the local administration," said an official of Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

"The contractors, in connivance with government officials, have been illegally lifting stones and morrum from the hillocks," seconded Pradip Bhuyan, vice-president of Buddhayan, an organization which works for the protection of Buddhist sites in the state.

"Each day about 50-70 trucks carry stones and morrum from the Udayagiri hill," he said, adding due to such illegal activity under the very nose of the authorities, the southern portion of the hill is now on the verge of collapse.

Buddhist sites at Sukhuapada, another prohibited area near Lalitagiri, have also been facing the onslaught of quarry workers. Likewise, Landa hillock, also under ASI protection, is being ravaged too, Bhuyan said.

The tragedy is compounded by the fact that the famous Buddhist sites at Lalitagiri, Udayagiri and Ratnagiri in the state are fit to get the status of World Heritage Sites like Sun Temple of Konark, but the chances are being hampered by the large scale quarrying near the hillocks, an ASI official said.

Several ancient Buddhist monasteries in the region are also being threatened by illegal quarrying, he added, lamenting the lacunae in preserving the natural environment of the Buddhist monasteries so that they can be awarded the status of World Heritage Sites.
The Buddhist Channel - Donate to Support Our Work



An Appeal

In deep gratitude for your support! We are half way to meeting our target (US$ 10,400 of US$ 18,000 already achieved)!

The Buddhist Channel is a dedicated group of "mindful communication practitioners" striving to make a positive impact on the Buddhist community. We deeply believe in the power of mindful journalism and are reaching out to you with a heartfelt request for your support. Your donation, no matter the size, can make a tangible difference in the lives of countless Buddhist monastics, local communities and other dedicated engaged workers. With your help, we make their stories known, and thereby opening up avenues for them to obtain sustainable support for their work.

Please indicate whether your support will be a donation or a loan. We will get back to you via email. We thank you in advance for providing us financial relieve. May the Buddha Dharma ever be your guide and protector.

Note: To date, we have received the following:

US$ 900 from Esa Myllykoski (donation)
US$ 9,500 from Lance Edwards/Kau Soo Kin (loan)

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

TOP