INTACH launches national heritage initiative ‘Project Gaja-Lok’ from Puri during Rath Yatra

Puri: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) on Thursday launched its new national programme, ‘Project Gaja-Lok – Elephant Lands and their Cultural Symbolism in Asia’, from Puri, marking the beginning of a nationwide initiative to document and promote the cultural and ecological significance of elephants.

The project was inaugurated by eminent sculptor and Padma Vibhushan Sudarshan Sahoo, who opened an exhibition near the Buddha Temple in Puri. Organised by the INTACH Puri District Chapter, the exhibition will remain open to visitors from 9 am to 9 pm till July 25.

The programme, to be implemented by INTACH chapters across the country from July 17, is a transnational culture-nature initiative coordinated by the Trust’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Division. It aims to document the relationship between elephants, their habitats and the cultural traditions associated with them across Asia.

INTACH Odisha State Convener and noted environmentalist Biswajit Mohanty said the launch from Puri during Rath Yatra symbolises the deep spiritual and cultural association of elephants with Lord Jagannath traditions and Odisha’s heritage.

INTACH Puri Chapter Convener Subas Chandra Rath said the project would document the links between elephants, forests, temples, crafts and rituals in Odisha, while Co-Convener Sanjay Kumar Baral said local communities, students and heritage volunteers would be actively involved in conservation and awareness activities.

The exhibition highlights the cultural relationship between humans and elephants, traditional knowledge systems, conservation challenges and artistic representations from across Asia. During the programme, INTACH felicitated Sunil Biswal for his contribution to history and heritage. Several heritage experts, scholars and INTACH members attended the launch.