Lichens growth on Sun Temple of Konark in Odisha, India- A curse or blessing

A survey of lichen growth on the Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha, revealed over 500 distinct spots across the main temple, sculptures, and boundary walls. Fifteen lichen species from 14 genera and 11 families were identified, with crustose lichens dominating—ten species tightly adhering to substrates and producing secondary metabolites—while only four foliose and one quamulose species were recorded. The study suggests that while lichen growth may be perceived as a curse due to potential substrate degradation, it also signifies ecological resilience and biodiversity within this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nayak, S. K., Behera, P. K., Bajpai, R., Upreti, D. K., & Satapathy, K. B. (2017). Lichens growth on Sun Temple of Konark in Odisha, India- A curse or blessing. Cryptogam Biodiversity and Assessment, 2(02). https://doi.org/10.21756/cab.v2i02.10817