Expanding its footprint, heritage body INTACH has opened a new chapter each in Haryana, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, taking the total number of its branches to 200, a senior official today said.
A non-profit organisation established in 1984 and headquartered in New Delhi, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) works on protection, conservation and promotion of tangible and intangible heritage.
"We are marking the World Heritage Week (November 19-25) and happy to share that three new chapters have been recently added to our list. Hisar Chapter in Haryana opened early this month," the senior INTACH official told PTI.
He said in Rajasthan, a joint chapter has been launched for three towns of Sikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu, while in Chhattisgarh, a chapter has been started in Khairagarh.
"The three towns in Rajasthan are filled with old havelis, forts and palaces. And so it is fitting that we have a chapter to cover that historic area. In Hisar also, the city is rich in heritage," he said.
According to the official, the new chapter in Chhattisgarh has been started in an art university in Khairagarh, considering the tribal culture of the region.
"So, now we have 200 chapters across the country," he said.
In November last year, the heritage body had opened a chapter in the historic city of Darbhanga in Bihar and prior to that in December 2015, in silk city Bhagalpur.
Gaya and Sitamarhi have also been on INTACH's radar but, still facing some challenges.
"In Sitamarhi, we got good response but not the required number of volunteers we need to get the specified number of members and life members, required for starting a chapter.
"In Gaya, we are in touch with faculty at Magadh University to mobilise support for membership, but we have not got good response at all so far," Bihar Chapter Convener Prem Sharan rued.
The ancient city of Gaya, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mahabodhi Temple, and the iconic Vishnupad Temple, besides a large number of colonial-era buildings.
The Gaya Collectorate, District Board building, District Engineers Office, the Dakbungalow, are some of the oldest heritage buildings in the city, known for the time distinct architecture and red colour.
Besides, it is also dotted with several private mansions and palatial houses, many of which are in ruins, and immediate need of restoration.
INTACH has chapters in all major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Shimla, Patna, Ahmedabad and Bhopal.
The new chapters are likely to give boost to documentation and preservation of heritage in the three states.
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