Tourists admire a sand art sculpture in Puri beach and (below) Sudarshan Patnaik creates a replica of the the Taj Mahal on the bank of the Yamuna. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, July 17: The state government has on Wednesday given its nod to build a sand art park in Puri.

Last year, acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik had returned the land given to him by the state government for the proposed park, citing dissatisfaction with the terms and conditions that were applied by the authorities on the piece of land.

However, burying the hatchet, Patnaik will now play a significant role in setting up the park meant to promote tourism and sand art.

In a meeting chaired by chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, the decision to establish the sand art park was taken yesterday. Tourism secretary Arvind Padhee was asked to develop the proposed sand art park.

A detailed plan indicating the logistics such as structure, finance, timeline for implementation and others are being chalked out.

Official sources said that a society would be at the helm of affairs of the proposed park and it would enjoy sufficient autonomy.

A site selection committee would also be constituted to locate nearly three acres for the park. The state government will provide land free of premium to the tourism department.

“The project aims to attract tourists to the pilgrim town and simultaneously educate and train budding talents on sand art,” said Padhee.

Regular training classes for those interested in the art, short-term course for tourists and creation of a sand sculpture and photo gallery of international standard are part of the project.

“Japan has a beautiful sand art park. We are trying to develop something similar,” said Patnaik.

In 2011, a land situated at the far end of Puri towards Talabania was provided to Patnaik to develop an international standard sand art park.

“It is more important that the sand art park comes up. Now that tourism department has been asked to build one, I am delighted. I will assist them in whatever way I can. Such a park would do a world of good to the young sand artists,” he added.

He also plans to invite foreign sculptors to showcase their talents.