New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Mar 6: In a bid to boost Odisha's tourism sector, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to declare Debrigarh-Bhima Mandali-Hirakud a tourist circuit.

In the letter, the Union Minister highlighted the heritage, history and tourism potential of Bhima Mandali, Debrigarh and Hirakud.

He mentioned Bhima Mandali, located just 100 km from Hirakud Dam, is an important tourist destination.

Being an ancient rock art region of Odisha, these caves have carvings of deer, elephants, footprints of different animals, pugmarks, and different features reflecting human settlements inside the forest age. According to historians, the site got its name from the large rock shelters in the sandstone hills of the reserve forest, which was believed to be the abode of Bhima during his exile.

However, due to the lack of maintenance and conservation, this ancient site is in a state of decline. There has been a demand from the historical, heritage conservation and local communities to declare Bhima Mandali as a protected monument by the ASI for its proper protection and conservation.

The Union Education Minister further stated that if this ancient historical treasure is preserved, it will be an important aspect for the future generations.

Similarly, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The Wildlife Sanctuary, which has immense potential for tourism, has been included in the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Union government.

In addition, the architectural style of the world's largest dam Hirakud on the Mahanadi has attracted tourists from across the globe. It is an ideal destination for sustainable and ecotourism. Therefore, in view of all this, Pradhan has sought the personal intervention of the Tourism Minister to declare Debrigarh-Bhima Mandali-Hirakud as a tourist circuit.

Earlier, Union Minister Pradhan had visited the historic Bhima Mandali site, on February 25, last year. He interacted with the ASI officials and discussed about the origin of this historical place, its heritage, history and authentic facts of human civilization.

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