Odisha plans a Sand Art Park to promote tourism

In its bid to utilise sand art as a tool to promote tourism in the state, the Odisha government has decided to set up a Sand Art Park at Puri, an official release said here.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting presided by Chief Secretary J K Mohapatra where Tourism and Culture secretary Arabinda Padhee outlined various prospects for the proposed project, it said.

Mohapatra suggested the tourism department to prepare a detail report on the proposed project indicating the organisational structure, source of finance and timeline for its implementation, the release said.

The land, around two to three acres needed for the project, will be provided to the department free of premium by the state government, it added. Mohapatra has also suggested the department to constitute a site selection committee for the project.

The objectives of the project include attracting tourists to the beach town, educate and train budding talents on sand art and provide amusement to amateur artists.

The Chief Secretary also advised the department to utilise the expertise and experiences of well known Odia sand artist Sudarshan Pattanaik in the planning and implementation of the project.