Post News Network
Berhampur, April 18: Even as the government claims to have taken a slew of measures to attract foreign tourists to the heritage sites of the district, not even a single tourist from abroad visited the district in last four years.
Experts blame it on the failure of the tourism department to project the district as one of the tourist havens of the state. The uniqueness of the ancient sculptures, art and crafts of the particular area could not be presented in right perspective to attract foreigners. Besides, a large number of heritage sites of the district are also on the verge of collapse.
According to official sources, as visit of foreign nationals has been banned in Maoist-infested areas, it has also affected their footfall in Ganjam district.
Jaugarh at Pandia under Purushottampur block and Potagarh under Ganjam block were accorded heritage site status. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which has taken over the maintenance of these sites has outsourced the activities to the district tourism and culture department. These two sites remain crowded throughout the year.
A rock edict of King Ashoka can be found at Jaugarh on the bank of the Rushikulya river. The Kalinga edicts are famous for its code of ethics and timeless virtues they espouse. In its vicinity is a sati pillar called Jogamanda.
Potagarh fort was built by Kutib Saisultan Ibrahim in 1768. It stands as a witness to the vicissitudes of the history of Orissa. The British era history has been sculpted on the star-shaped fort surrounded by a wide and deep moat. Its strongly-built earthen ramparts are 15 ft high, 92 metre long and 19 metre wide. The fort was built underground in order to protect it from invaders.
Over 24,000 people had died in Ganjam during a famine in Ganjam district in 1815. There were a number of British people among the dead.
A Christian cemetery related to this fort of colonial past also exists near it. Bodies of both British and French persons are buried in this cemetery.
In course of time, the main gates of the fort and several other parts have been ruined.
The government has taken a number of measures to renovate these structures. Toilets and rest houses have been set up for the visitors. However, several renovation works and other developmental work have been lying incomplete.
About 22,901 and 47,767 tourists visited Jaugarh and Potagarh in 2014 respectively. However, not a single visitor from outside came here in these years.
Meanwhile, residents of the district demanded that Nirmaljhar under Khallikote block, Biranchi Narayan temple and Buddhakhola of Buguda block be accorded with heritage status.
Thousands of visitors throng Nirmaljhar to witness its scenic beauty and Mahadev, Bishnu and Jagannath temples near it. Last year, the place witnessed 63,876 tourists.
As many as 97,170 people including those from outside the state visited the Biranchi Narayan temple of Buguda block.