New Delhi: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has undertaken the conservation of 26 monuments in Odisha over the last three years, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
As per the details provided, the work involved restoration of ancient temples, Math, museums, and a masjid.
Among other projects in the State, INTACH undertook the development of the Orissa High Court Museum. The work included restoration and development of the building and museum.
INTACH also restored the late Janakinath Bose House at Puri. The building has been restored and converted into a Subhash Bose Museum under the State Department of Culture.
INTACH also carried out conservation of the heritage building at Hukitola in the Kendrapara district for ICZMP (Wildlife), Mangrove Forest Division, Rajanagar, Kendrapara. The project involved the restoration of the building, according to an official statement.
In Sambalpur, conservation work was undertaken at Ranimahal for the State Department of Tourism & Culture (Tourism). The project included the restoration of the palace.
INTACH also undertook conservation of Kapileswar Temple in Old Town, Bhubaneswar, under the State Archaeology Department of the Culture. It included chemical conservation of the main temple and paving.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes heritage conservation using traditional methodology while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of heritage structures. The agency also engages local artisans in conservation work, providing employment opportunities.
Shekhawat, in a written reply, informed that there are 3,686 Centrally Protected Monuments and Sites under the ASI across the country. Conservation and maintenance are carried out regularly as per the National Policy for Conservation and based on the needs of monuments and the availability of resources.
