Backed by a recommendation from the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), the Bishnupur temple complex may soon become a member of the World Heritage Society. As a first step, the ASI has advised the district administration to bulldoze all illegal structures that fall within 200 meters of the ASI-protected site.

According to sources in the district administration, more than 15 such buildings have been shortlisted for demolition. On Friday, the demolition will begin with one building closer to Jor Bangla temple. There will be a meeting on February 12for subsequent action plan.

Meanwhile, the ASI is in the process of preparing the Bishnupur Dossier for its recommendation. “In every way, this pre-colonial Bengali urban complex has the right to feature on the list,” said Mishra. Once declared a World Heritage site, there would be master conservation plan of the entire Bishnupur town and all the temples would get back their lost glory.

With the Heritage tag, Bishnupur’s famed crafts would also get global recognition. Be it terracotta handicraft items, baluchari sarees or Bishnupur Gharana music, all aspects of the temple town are set to get a much-needed fillip, thereby developing the economy of the place as a whole.