Keonjhar, Sept 9: The government has started efforts to develop tourist spot, Sidhhamath, near Purunasahar here with plan for a plantation project soon.
Meanwhile, the endowment department has demarcated 39 acre and 7 decimal of land belonging to plot-102 for the purpose. However, some structures like Keshab Mutt, Saibaba temple and Kalyan Mandap are on the land. The endowment department will serve notices on them.
“As some of them are religious institutions, they will not be removed, but will be brought under the management of the department,” said sub-collector and executive officer of the endowment department Somnath Pradhan.
The land was measured last week in the presence of the sub-collector, revenue officials, revenue inspector and an amin.
It was learnt that plantation will be done in vacant places so as to meet the need for wood for chariots. Various quarters have welcomed this move by the department.
Sidhhamath, a place of antiquity, has long been neglected. Ancient temples have been here in ruins for lack of maintenance.
Trees have been cut down while the ecology has been damaged due to rampant murram mining. At many places, the land of the endowment department has been under illegal occupation.
Sidhhamath is situated near Chulia hill. It is believed that in ancient times sages used to do penance at the place. It was a hub of Tantric practices.
The area was once verdant with valuable sandalwood trees and medicinal plants, but they have now disappeared.
“We have been demanding the protection of the place,” said local litterateur Ramakrushna Mohapatra.
The place has old temples for Siddha Jagannath, Siddha Shiva, Siddha Kali and Siddha Hanuman.
Sadly, the place does not have a road for easy access, even though many people throng the site on certain occasions.
The site also needs lighting facility to attract visitors. “If the place is developed with basic infrastructure, it will turn out to be a major tourism spot in the district,” said environmentalist Bimbadhar Behera.
PNN