INTACH launches ‘Gaja-Lok’ to spotlight Asia’s cultural and ecological bond with elephants
Elephant mural in the caves of Ajanta, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
New Delhi, November 19: INTACH has launched Project Gaja-Lok, a landmark transnational initiative that explores the cultural, historical and ecological significance of the Asian elephant across Asia. The programme aims to deepen understanding of the elephant’s symbolic and environmental legacy, while fostering collaboration among scholars, conservationists and cultural institutions.
The project opens with a public exhibition from November 19 to 25 and a roundtable on November 20 at INTACH’s headquarters in New Delhi. Organised by INTACH’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Division, the events mark the beginning of a multi-country dialogue that positions the elephant as both a revered cultural icon and a symbol of climate and ecological resilience.
The exhibition charts the elephant’s long journey through Asian civilization — from Indus Valley seals and Bharhut railings to the monumental sculptures of Konark. It highlights how elephants have shaped art, religion and political life through references in the Arthaśāstra, Buddhist and Jain traditions, royal courts and temples across the region.
The November 20 roundtable will address key themes including historical human–elephant interactions, modern ecological pressures, coexistence ethics and the future of cross-border collaboration on heritage and conservation.
INTACH said Project Gaja-Lok is designed to emphasise that the story of elephants is deeply intertwined with humanity’s own evolution, values and environmental responsibilities. The initiative seeks to inspire shared stewardship of both cultural memory and ecological protection.
To mark the launch, INTACH is hosting a series of expert lectures between November 19 and 25, featuring Asian elephant expert Raman Sukumar, IUCN Species Survival Commission chair Vivek Menon, historian Pratyay Nath and scholar Archana Shastri.
INTACH said Gaja-Lok celebrates one of Asia’s oldest relationships — the enduring bond between humans and elephants — and reinforces its mission to safeguard India’s natural and cultural heritage.
