Buddhist sites set to get a makeover

KENDRAPADA: The famous Buddhist sites at Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Lalitagiri and Langudi in Jajpur district may soon get a makeover to arrest the gradual decline in the flow of tourists to these places.
Despite being world-class heritage sites, these sites lack basic civic amenities.
"We have plans of building roads, providing proper drinking water facilities, enhancing security and beautifying the Buddhist sites.We will also be focusing on sustainable tourism to generate employment for the locals. Lack of a proper marketing strategy to promote these sites has led to a gradual fall in the tourist inflow into the district. Keeping this in mind, we have decided to seek the help of tour operators and Buddhist researchers to bring back the tourists to these ancient sites. The authorities will soon build a shed at the site in Udayagiri district for keeping the sculptures of Buddha and others. We will also urge the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to build a museum in Udayagiri," said district collector Ranjan Das on Friday.
These areas need more public conveniences and better accomodation facilities. "There is no drinking water facility and public toilets for the tourists there. Therefore, the district administration will build public toilets soon," added the collector.
The district administration has identified 80 acre of land at Neulapur hillock near NH-5 for constructing the state's tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The 108ft statue will be surrounded by a lush green cover, tourist guest houses and garden. The state tourism department has also invited tenders for the same.