Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has sought response from the state government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging illegal excavation, encroachment and ecological destruction in the protected Mahendragiri hills of Gajapati district.Hearing the case through virtual mode on Tuesday, a vacation bench of Justices KR Mohapatra and MS Sahu adjourned the matter till after the summer vacation after additional government counsel SR Patnaik sought time to get instructions. Deputy Solicitor General of India PK Parhi, appearing for the ASI, and the state counsel were directed to take instructions in the matter.The PIL was filed by Pradeep Kumar Bhuiyan of Gajapati district belonging to the Sabar (Sora) tribal community and three other residents who claimed to be hereditary worshipers associated with the sacred Mahendragiri hill under Paralakhemundi forest division. Advocate Shivshankar Mohanty presented arguments on behalf of the petitioners.The plea has sought immediate intervention to stop alleged unauthorized excavation, illegal construction, installation of artificial idols and illegal religious activities around the centrally protected Bhima, Kunti and Yudhishthir temples situated on the hill. It also prayed for demolition and removal of all alleged illegal structures and encroachments raised in violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, forest laws and environment rules.The petition alleged that some private parties have carried out illegal excavation and construction activities near the protected monuments under the guise of “research work” and “Mahendra Ashram”. Photographs presented before the court allegedly show excavation near the Kunti temple, uprooting of trees near the Yudhishthir temple and construction of a concrete road within the prohibited areas around the monuments.The petition also objects to the proposed “Mahendra Mela” from June 1 to 13, alleging that the mass gatherings and rituals could have a serious impact on the delicate ecology, biodiversity and forest habitat of the area.According to the petitioners, the Mahendragiri hills are not only a sacred site for the Sabar and Kondh tribal communities but also an ecologically fragile mountain ecosystem, which is officially recognized by the Government of Odisha. In November 2022, the state declared 4,250 hectare area of ​​Mahendragiri as a biodiversity heritage site due to its rich biodiversity, endemic species and tribal cultural significance.