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.