Architectural Conservation S8

INTACH
(Indian National Trust for
Art and Cultural Heritage)

Presented by
Anakha Jayanthi, Fabi Faisel, Kripa Anna
Cherian, Reeshba Reji, Neeraja R

Photo: http://www.intachblr.org/ 1
 INTRODUCTION

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was founded in 1984 in New Delhi with
the vision to spearhead heritage awareness and conservation in INdia. Today INTACH is recognized as one of
the world’s largest heritage organizations, with over 190 Chapters across the Country. In the past 31 years
INTACH has pioneered the conservation and preservation of tangible and intangible heritage as well.
Headquartered in New Delhi, it operates through various divisions such as Architectural Heritage, Natural
Heritage, Material Heritage, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Heritage Education and Communication Services
(HECS), Crafts and Community Cell, Chapters, INTACH Heritage Academy, Heritage Tourism, Listing Cell
and Library, Archives and Documentation Centre.

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 HISTORY
● INTACH was founded in 1984 in New Delhi with the vision to create a membership organisation
to stimulate and spearhead heritage awareness and conservation in India.
● Since 1984, INTACH has pioneered the conservation and protection of India's natural and
cultural heritage and is today the largest membership organisation in the country dedicated to
conservation.
● Today it has chapters in 170 Indian cities, as well as chapters in Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Kerala has 8 chapters - Calicut, Cochin, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Palakkad, Thrissur,
Trivandrum.

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 TIMELINE
1984 INTACH is established as a Registered Society 2007 INTACH gets UNESCO special consultative
1985 Chapters across the country status

1986 INTACH logo is finalized and registered 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Government of Delhi
1989 Conservation Plan of Ekamra Kshetra
2009 INTACH Pupul Jayakar Award and Memorial
1991 Conservation Plan for Ujjain Heritage Zone lecture
1992-3 The construction of the New Headquarters 2011 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
building initiated Government of Jharkhand
2000 INTACH Environmental Award 2012 Convenors Orientation Programme
2003 Chapters Guidelines 2013 Revised Chapters Guidelines

2014 INTACH UK Trust dissolved

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 LOGO

The INTACH Logo, based on the anthropomorphic copper figure from Shahabad, Uttar Pradesh,
belonging to the enigmatic Copper Hoards of the Ganga Valley is the perceived brand image of
INTACH. The classic simplicity and vitality of its lines makes it a striking example of primitive man’s
creative genius. (circa 1800-1700 BC.)

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 MISSION
INTACH’s mission to conserve heritage is based on the belief that living in harmony with heritage enhances the
quality of life, and it is the duty of every citizen of India as laid down in the Constitution of India. The objectives
spelt out in the Memorandum of Association constitute INTACH’s Mandate and Vision. Its stated mission to date
continues to be:

● Sensitize the public about the pluralistic cultural legacy of India

● Instill a sense of social responsibility towards preserving India’s common heritage
● Protect and preserve India’s living, built, and natural heritage by undertaking necessary actions and
measures
● Document unprotected buildings of archaeological, architectural, historic and aesthetic significance, as well
as the cultural resources, as this is the first step towards formulating conservation plans
● Develop heritage policies and regulations, and make legal interventions to protect India’s heritage when
necessary

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● Provide expertise in the field of conservation, restoration and preservation of specific works of art; and
encourage capacity-building by developing skills through training programmes
● Undertake emergency response measures during natural or man-made disasters and support the local
administration whenever heritage is threatened
● Foster collaborations, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and partnerships with government and other
national and international agencies
● Generate sponsorships for conservation and educational projects.

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To achieve the above-stated mission, at subsequent Visioning Exercises further measures were spelt out:

● INTACH must widen and strengthen its base so as to involve people in caring for our common heritage, as
outlined in the objectives of the Memorandum of Association of the Society
● INTACH should develop into a highly competent and efficient organization of first recourse in all matters
concerning Built (Architectural), Natural, Art (Material), Intangible (Living) Heritage in the country by building
the requisite professional and other skills, both at its Central Office and at the Chapter level
● INTACH should strive to become the primary advisor on all matters pertaining to protection, conservation and
preservation of heritage for the central government, the state governments (including institutions, agencies
and organizations under them, such as the Armed Forces), and for institutions of decentralized governance
such as the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the rural areas, for the urban local bodies (municipalities,
metropolitan authorities, cantonment boards, etc.), and also the Corporate and Public Sectors
● INTACH should put into place an effective system of networking with other like-minded organizations and build
a mutual support system

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 GUIDELINES
1. Retain visual identity : In a globalising world, where visual spaces are rapidly becoming homogenised, it is necessary to
retain the specific visual identity of a place created by the presence of unprotected architectural heritage and sites.
2. Adaptive Reuse : The re-use of historic buildings and neighbourhoods is economically sensible. It is an effective strategy
to conserve architectural heritage, particularly by using traditional craftspeople in the process.
3. Restoration/ Replication/ Rebuilding : Restoration is an appropriate conservation strategy to reinstate the integrity or
complete the fractured ‘whole’ of the architectural heritage/ site. It must aim to convey the meaning of the heritage in the
most effective manner.
4. Employment Generation : Conservation strategy must focus on the potential for employing local raj mistris, labour and
materials because this will prolong the economic viability of traditional ways of building.
5. Sustainability : The objective of conservation should be to sustain the building and/or the traditional skill and knowledge
system of building. In this context, continuity must be seen as evolving over time.

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 CODE OF COMMITMENT
The ethical commitment that every INTACH Member follows are:

● Cherish and protect our common heritage

● Care for the conservation of the local environment
● Spread concern and a sense of belonging amongst the local community
● Respect our own culture and that of others
● Encourage creative expression and inspire young minds to develop secular and cultural values
● Uphold INTACH’s goal and its mission to conserve heritage

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 CODE OF CONDUCT
● Adherence to the Code of commitment for every INTACH Member.
● The membership form for enrollment as an INTACH Member explicitly states that the person (including
Institutional Member) has read the Memorandum of Association and the Rules and Regulations, and agrees to
abide by them.
● The conduct of every INTACH Member has to be such that it brings credit to the organization.
● A Chapter and its Members should normally confine their activities within their Chapter’s jurisdiction except
where another Chapter requests help, or when assigned certain specific responsibilities by Chapters Division
in an area where there is no Chapter and activities have to be undertaken in the larger interest of the Trust.
● Organizations and institutions that have objectives similar to those of INTACH can become INTACH Members,
and vice versa. However it is a matter to be decided by the Central Office, and should be referred along with all
relevant details to the Chapters Division for guidance and decision. A Member in his personal capacity can
however become a member of any such institution.
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● Chapters have necessarily to interact with the local branches of national and international level organizations.
While doing so, it should be borne in mind that no commitments are made that are not in conformity with the
Rules and Regulations and policies of INTACH contained in various circulars issued by the Central Office.
● An INTACH Member is required to observe the rule of law, specifically the laws relating to cultural heritage.
The Convenor, as leader of the team, must also ensure that Members do not publicly debate or bring out
contentious issues involving their own or other Chapters or the Central Office without first bringing them to
the notice of the Chapters Division and seeking clarifications for mutual resolution. In all cases it must be
ensured that the conduct does not discredit INTACH or place it in an unfavourable light.
● If a member, including the Convener derives pecuniary benefits for providing professional services on behalf of
INTACH, he/she will do so keeping in mind the provision of Service Tax or any other taxes as applicable, and
making sure that there is no violation of law. The Central Office must be kept informed of such arrangements
and its approval taken.

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 AGENCIES
Funding Agencies and Cultural Organizations with whom INTACH is associated are:

● Australian High Commission

● Helen Hamlyn Trust, UK
● Giridhar Smarak Trust Jaisalmer
● Jaisalmer in Jeopardy UK
● World Monument Fund
● Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
● Department of Archaeology, GNCTD
● Shinnyoen Japan
● University of Allahabad
● IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
● University of Hawaii’s at Manoa Department of Cultural Heritage, Government of Sikkim
● Archaeological Survey of India
● Ministry of Culture, Government of India
● Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
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 WORKS

1. GOLCONDA FORT
Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh was
one of the first architectural heritage
projects in which INTACH played a
catalytic role by writing to the Chief
Minister and publicising the perils of
unplanned urban encroachments
endangering the preservation of this
historical fort.

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2. PROJECT GANGA
Project Ganga was the first major
assignment that combined INTACH's vision
for natural and cultural conservation with
community involvement and popular
participation. By cleaning the Ganga it was
hoped that elsewhere in the country people
would take the initiative and clean their own
local rivers and environment.

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3. AUDREY HOUSE
Audrey house, originally part of the Raj Bhawan, is
more than 150 years old. The conservation work of
the building commenced on 30th April 2013 and as
part of the work, all insensitive later additions and
alterations were removed and the damaged areas
were repaired. The damaged brick walls have been
stabilized and the sloping roof restored. The open
area surrounding the building has also been
developed based on a detailed site development
plan with lawns and gazebos, amphitheatre, parking,
guard rooms and garden furniture.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
● http://www.intach.org/
● https://www.intachkangra.org/
● https://en.wikipedia.org/
● Completed Projects | INTACH Architectural Heritage
● INTACH

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