According to reports, though the land and the area surrounding the Sun Temple were under the rightful possession of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Konark Notified Area Council had recently constructed a road inside the protected area by cutting down a large number of trees. The trees were planted by ASI to protect the Sun Temple from the saline effect of the Bay of Bengal and make the historic place more attractive.

It is further alleged that the ASI staff posted to look after the Sun Temple, a 13th Century monument have not protested the felling of trees from the protected area. ``The ASI officials rather cooperated Konark NAC in such illegal work for their vested interests,'' alleged members ofKonark Vikash Manch (KVM), a voluntary body working for protection of the Sun Temple, in a press statement.

The members of KVM also complained that Konark NAC has removed the barbed wire fence which was shielding precious antique stones used for construction of the Sun Temple. While informing that construction near the Sun Temple, listed as a world heritage was strictly prohibited, the members of the KVM alleged that Konark NAC has already completed construction work of a market complex and its own office building near the temple campus. They said these constructions are not in accordance with the master plan designed by ASI for protection of the temple.

``There is an unholy nexus between some officials of ASI and Konark NAC,'' alleged the members of KVM, adding that the constructions are indirectly being encouraged by ASI. Meanwhile, the members of KVM and local people of Konark have submitted memoranda to the Union Human Resources Development Minister, Union Tourism Minister and Chief Minister of Orissaurging their immediate intervention and save the world famous monument which has been the pride of Orissan heritage from being exposed to all sorts of vandalism.