Bhubaneswar, March 1: The government is setting up a conservation laboratory in the Odisha State Archives for the maintenance of paper-based records.

At the laboratory, the collected materials of the archives will undergo treatment for preservation.

Over six lakh records in shape of volumes, loose sheets, files, old gazettes, maps and newspapers housed in the archive would be conserved. These records pertain to the period 1803 to 1963 and contain the most valuable information on the history of formation of modern Odisha such as the freedom struggle, creation of Odisha province, natural calamities, first settlement in the state and account of the social customs prevailing during the earlier time such as sati and human sacrifice. Some of the rare records include the rule of records of the mapping of the state as well.

"These records have been acquired from various offices such as the state and governor's secretariat, district collectorates and the subordinate offices. That apart, some of the records of historical value has been acquired from private sources such as the kings, zamindars, religious institutions and freedom fighters. They are extremely crucial documents and their preservation is necessary for the state," said head of the institution Bhagyalipi Malla.

A number of old newspapers such as Utkal Dipika, Sambalpur Hitesini, Naveena, Desha Katha ans Satya Samachar will also be conserved, along with records, that relate to the history of the Jagannath temple. The laboratory is being set up at a cost of Rs 10 lakh under the purview of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, a national-level organisation responsible for conservation of India's heritage.

"Initially, the most important records will undergo preliminary treatment such as cleaning and lamination using simple tools. Gradually, we will include the use of sophisticated machines to enhance precision and effectiveness in the conservation processes," said Malla.

The laboratory would be functional by April. She further said the state government was developing the infrastructure of the archives at the earliest to be eligible to receive funds from the central government.

The state government is also setting up a souvenir shop where people can buy old records and an exhibition hall on the archives premises to attract visitors. The recordings of 26 freedom fighters of the state sharing their experiences of the freedom struggle will also be exhibited after it is set up.

"We are trying to promote the state archives, so that more people, especially youngsters, come here and read the publications to know more about the state's heritage," said culture minister Ashok Panda.