Biswajit Mohanty Appointed State Convener of INTACH Odisha; Anil Dhir Named Co-convener

Bhubaneswar: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has appointed renowned environmentalist and wildlife activist Dr. Biswajit Mohanty as the State Convener of its Odisha Chapter. Acclaimed writer and historian Anil Dhir has been named the Co-convener.

Founded in 1984 in New Delhi, INTACH is one of India’s premier organizations dedicated to the conservation of natural, built, and intangible heritage. With over 250 active chapters across the country, the organization has, over the past four decades, built a robust legacy in heritage awareness and preservation. Odisha itself hosts a vibrant network of 13 chapters, and the appointment of new leadership signals a renewed focus on local heritage initiatives.

As State Convener, Dr. Mohanty will be responsible for coordinating between INTACH’s state chapters and securing government and public cooperation for the protection and upkeep of Odisha’s rich cultural and natural heritage. His extensive experience in environmental advocacy and conservation is expected to infuse new energy into INTACH’s initiatives in the state.

Over the last two decades, INTACH Odisha has been instrumental in documenting over 7,000 neglected heritage sites, making a significant contribution to the preservation of the state’s legacy. Among its major projects are the documentation of the historic Jagannath Sadak (from Kolkata to Puri), the Mahanadi and Prachi River Valley Civilizations, the Tribal Heritage of Koraput, and the Sacred Temple Tanks of Bhubaneswar.

INTACH’s Conservation Centre has also preserved rare palm leaf manuscripts, safeguarding ancient knowledge systems and artistic traditions. Noteworthy conservation projects include the Odisha State Maritime Museum, the Museum of Justice in Cuttack, Jankinath Bose’s ancestral home in Puri, the Sambalpur Town Hall, and the George Library in Balangir.

Co-convener Anil Dhir emphasized the urgency of heritage protection in Odisha. “While there are only 81 ASI-protected monuments and 218 State-protected monuments, hundreds of ancient structures remain outside official protection. The theft of idols and heritage artefacts is also on the rise,” he warned. He added that INTACH will soon complete a district-wise listing of unprotected monuments, a vital step toward their preservation.

Dhir also shared INTACH’s plans to open Heritage Clubs in schools, colleges, and universities in alignment with the New Education Policy (NEP), aiming to instill a sense of pride and awareness about India’s cultural wealth among younger generations.