CUTTACK: Even as the Sun Temple at Konark is frequently under scanner over conservation issues, experts from across the world are set to get together in Bhubaneswar in February to deliberate and chalk out strategies for protection of the World Heritage Site.
The 13th century temple, which is under the continuous process of restoration and structural repairs by the ASI, is confronting increasing pressure of not only weathering and climatic factors but also urbanisation-induced encroachment, human activities, pollution and rising number of tourist footfalls.
The international assembly on global strengthening of the Black Pagoda would take into consideration all factors affecting the monument and devise mechanisms for countering the adverse conditions.
It could also delve on the much debated issue of opening up the Jagamohana, which has been sealed after filling it up with sand, since the beginning of the 20th century, said Superintending Archaeologist of ASI, Bhubaneswar Circle, Dr AK Patel here today.
Making a presentation on the conservation of Konark at a seminar organised by INTACH, Cuttack Chapter, Dr Patel detailed the chronology of activities to restore the temple since the British period to the present.
However, the strategies adopted by ASI for preservation came in for some criticism with Professor in the department of Ancient History of Utkal University Dr Sadasib Mishra terming the replacement of original stones or blocks with plain ones.
The replaced blocks should be ornamental ones resembling the original so that the authenticity would be maintained.
Otherwise, as more and more stones come off and replaced, the whole monument would be reduced to a plain and bland structure in the coming years, he observed.
Chairman of INTACH SK Mishra also stressed on maintaining the authenticity of the monuments that are being restored.
Among others, Secretary Yogendra Narayan, State Convenor AB Tripathy, advisor Ananta Mohapatra, Baripada unit convenor Prof PK Mishra, Cuttack Chapter convenor PK Mishra and co-convenor TK Ghosh were present.