Bhubaneswar, Jan 20 (FN Bureau) Heritage temple tanks, ponds, and wells in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar have been reduced to shadows of their former glory. Over the years, relentless urbanisation and neglect in maintenance have degraded these water bodies, turning them into cesspools, according to a study report titled “Sacred Waters: Preservation Strategy for Temple Tanks.” Anisha Swain, a preservation architect, conducted a meticulous study of the current status of these tanks and suggested remedial measures to address their deterioration. This project by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) demonstrates its ongoing commitment to heritage preservation, said INTACH’s State Convener, A.B. Tripathy, and Dr. S. S. Ray, Director General of the KIIT School of Architecture & Planning. According to Tripathy, Odisha arguably has the largest number of temple tanks in the country. Cities such as Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Berhampur, Paralakhemundi, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Sambalpur are home to numerous temple tanks. In addition to temple tanks, Odisha has close to 150,000 village ponds, most of which are in a state of severe neglect.
Anil Dhir, INTACH’s Bhubaneswar Convener, emphasised the urgent need to revive these temple tanks. He explained that natural aquifers have dried up due to groundwater depletion caused by the excessive sinking of deep bore wells in the heritage zone. Dhir highlighted that the study revealed alarming findings. The waters of many temple tanks were tested in certified laboratories, and of the 30 tanks surveyed, 18 were found to be dangerously contaminated. The presence of E. coli bacteria and fecal matter was detected in almost all the tanks. Extremely low pH and dissolved oxygen levels have rendered these tanks essentially “dead” water bodies, the heritage expert said. High levels of pesticides, metals, algae, arsenic, and fluoride have made the water in these tanks unusable, Dhir stated. The report also recommended that clear signage be installed to warn people against entering or using the water. The study proposed that stricter measures should be implemented to discourage pollution of temple tanks. Regular cleaning and maintenance of inlets and outlets were also emphasised. The report suggested that the upkeep of these tanks be entrusted to local stakeholder committees. According to Dhir, the report will serve as a valuable resource for conservationists, heritage experts, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the State Archaeology Department in formulating strategies to save these vital water bodies.