Bhubaneswar, Aug. 26 -- Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida today stressed the need to set up a task force in coordination with the Tourism, Culture, and Monuments Department to take up the conservation and beautification of neglected historical monuments in the state.
Parida said several heritage sites in Odisha remain neglected.
She pointed out that the state has over 30,000 historical monuments, of which only 82 are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, while 212 are conserved by the State Archaeological Department. "The remaining monuments need proper maintenance and beautification from the tourism point of view."A comprehensive database must be prepared, and these sites should be introduced as tourist destinations...