CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday sought response from the state government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a PIL alleging unauthorised excavation, illegal construction and ecological destruction in and around the sacred Mahendragiri hills in Gajapati district.
The petition was filed by Pradeep Kumar Bhuyan and three other residents of Gajapati district, who belong to the Sabar (Saora) ST community. Advocate Shivsankar Mohanty represented the petitioners.
The vacation bench of Justices KR Mohapatra and MS Sahoo was hearing the petition on virtual mode. While Additional Government Advocate SR Pattnaik represented the state government, Deputy Solicitor General of India PK Parhi appeared for the ASI. The matter has been posted after the ensuing summer vacation.
The petitioners claimed they were hereditary worshippers of the sacred Mahendragiri hills, and sought immediate direction to stop all unauthorised excavation, illegal construction, encroachments, installation of artificial idols and unlawful religious activities near the centrally-protected Bhima, Kunti and Yudhistira temples situated on the hills.
They also sought demolition and removal of alleged illegal structures raised in violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, forest laws and environmental regulations.
The PIL stated that Mahendragiri hills was of immense religious, cultural and ecological significance for the Sabar and Kondh tribal communities.
It alleged that though the state government had declared the 4,250 hectare of Mahendragiri region a Biodiversity Heritage Site in November 2022, private parties, under the guise of “research work” and “Mahendra Ashram” carried out illegal excavation, construction and alteration of ancient structures.
Photographs submitted before the court allegedly showed excavation near Kunti temple, uprooting of trees near Yudhistira temple and construction of a concrete road within prohibited areas surrounding protected monuments.
The petition also expressed concern over a proposed “Mahendra Mela” scheduled from June 1 to June 13, warning that large religious gatherings and rituals could seriously disturb the fragile ecology and biodiversity of the protected hill region.
