Dehradun, 15 April 2026: The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), and with the support of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, hosted a one-day awareness and engagement event on April 15, 2026, at Rangers College, Dehradun as part of the broader Gaj Utsav – Gaj Lok series, which seeks to highlight the ecological and cultural significance of elephants while fostering a deeper understanding of human–elephant coexistence. Rooted in both tangible and intangible heritage, the collaboration with INTACH brings forward narratives of oral traditions, rituals, and indigenous practices that reflect long-standing relationships between communities and elephants.

Clay modelling by students during the Bala Gaja session of Gaja Utsav at Rangers College, Dehradun | Photograph by Sreenanth k/WTI

A major highlight of the event was the Bala Gaja session, specially curated for young learners. “Bala Gaja” (meaning children and elephants) focuses on nurturing early awareness and empathy through a blend of conservation education and creative expression. In line with INTACH’s cultural heritage approach, the session connected traditional art forms with contemporary conservation messaging. About 200 students eagerly immersed themselves in the world of conservation through creatively shaping wildlife figurines. Ashish Verma Artist from Natures buddy lead the clay modelling session, Rajya Puraskar recipient Japani Shyam explained the intricate patterns of Gond Art, and Ms. Kalyani Voletti, Head of Visual Arts at Suncity School and an accomplished art educator, led the Origami workshop.

To further engage participants, a Nukkad Natak (street play) by Mukesh Nainwal and his team from Jim Corbett Heritage Village creatively depicted human–elephant interactions and community stewardship, using storytelling as an accessible medium to communicate conservation challenges and solutions.

A guided walk of the Gaj Lok exhibition, led by Dr. Anjali Bharthari, Co-convenor of INTACH Uttarakhand chapter, also showcased the deep cultural connections between elephants and communities, while linking mythology with present-day conservation. She explained that “With developmental projects taking up huge areas, the habitat of elephants is shrinking. A sensitive and empathetic approach is required to understand their behaviour while addressing human-animal conflict.

Abhishek Rawat from Nature’s Buddy conducting his session | Photograph by Sreenanth k/WTI

This was followed by a session by Mr. Abhishek Rawat, President of Nature’s Buddy Society, who highlighted the importance of the Thano Elephant Corridor in maintaining ecological connectivity. Aishwarya Menon from WTI introduced the Gaj Utsav and Gaj Lok initiatives, setting the context for the day, while senior conservationist Prof. BC Choudhury shared insights from his extensive experience in wildlife conservation.

The programme concluded with an open mic session titled “Stories for the Wild,” providing students a platform to express their perspectives through poetry, storytelling, and short talks inspired by wildlife and coexistence.

Ms. Saymanti B, Manager and Head of Natural Heritage Campaigns at WTI, added that “Gaj Utsav encourages children to not just learn about elephants, but to actively engage in their conservation. By inspiring young minds to take action, we are nurturing a generation that will lead the way in ensuring safe coexistence.”

Students showing their origami elephants at Gaja Utsav in Dehradun | Photograph by Sreenanth K/WTI

Through this collaborative initiative, WTI and INTACH aim to inspire the next generation to actively engage in wildlife conservation and promote a balanced and sustainable coexistence between humans and elephants in India’s shared landscapes.