Quick Start Guide

CONSERVATION INTACH has consistently proclaimed that ‘heritage’ is a shared national wealth. The consolidation of INTACH and its Chapters as knowledge centers of heritage remained the main focus of our activities during 2015-16. New initiatives like the capacity building courses for members, interactive programmes to sensitize the PWD, municipal and other Government agencies on heritage conservation were launched. Research scholarships and more importantly documentation of unprotected tangible and intangible heritage was sustained and enhanced. The Heritage Education Programmes with expansion of ‘Heritage Clubs’ network with the involvement of Chapters, sensitized thousands of school children and resulted in enthusiastic participation in the YOUNG INTACH NEWSLETTER programmes. INTACH publications along with INTACH journals have a wide circulation. The most significant development is the expansion of INTACH Chapters network with 185 centers for disseminating heritage awareness among the general public. A unique and astounding example is the conservation of ‘Jolpa Temple’ in Rajasthan, where villagers reclaimed their 650 year old heritage with their own monetary contribution. The conservation of Nilgiris Library by Convener Geeta Srinivasan was generously funded by personal involvement in the restoration. In the same spirit the Mandla Chapter succeeded in conserving two ‘Adivasi Temples’. The conservation of a centuries old heritage temple by Chandrapur Chapter is another example of what the Chapters can achieve on their own strength. These efforts serve to remind us that INTACH was created to garner peoples’ involvement, awareness and for their voluntary contribution in the conservation and preservation of our heritage. After 32 years of our existence it is time to break new grounds. We need to constantly re-discover our heritage, by placing greater emphasis on archeology to study the past, art heritage, environmental protection, public education and to inculcate conscious living with the environment. This also serves as an important tool to develop local knowledge of their own history and crafts, and further foster pride in heritage at ground levels. It will enable development of local museums – a great need in smaller cities, towns and villages, to create heritage awareness among common people and its economic benefits to their lives. Most recently INTACH discovered the importance of Geo-Heritage, an un-recognized facet of heritage which can be promoted as major tourist destinations. Our Conveners, Co-Conveners and Chapter Members, and INTACH Executive Committees deserve our appreciation for their selfless contributions and coordination with the professional divisions at Central Office. INTACH can justifiably call itself the INTACH heritage family. With best wishes, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) L.K. Gupta, avsm MESSAGE C H A I R MA N , I N TA C H 5 TACH