Lok Sabha Question No. 4117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Himalayan Region
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Suresh Kumar Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4117

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH  MARCH, 2022

## PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HIMALAYAN REGION

## 4117. SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:

## Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of steps taken to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of the Himalayan region spreading in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh;
- (b)  the  details  of  grants  provided  by  the  Ministry  under  its  scheme  to  protect  cultural heritage of Himalayas; and
- (c)   the details of steps taken on Buddhist & Tibetan Culture Art in the Himalayan region by the Ministry?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a)   Ministry of Culture administers a financial grant scheme by the name of 'Scheme of Financial  Assistance  for  the  Preservation  and  Development  of  Cultural  Heritage  of  the Himalayas' for the purpose of promoting, protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Himalayan region spreading in Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and States of  Himachal  Pradesh,  Uttrakhand,  Sikkim  and  Arunachal  Pradesh  through  research, documentation, dissemination etc. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the Voluntary Organizations including Colleges and Universities for study and research on cultural heritage, preservation of old manuscripts, literature, art & crafts and documentation of  cultural  activities/  events  like  music  &  dance,    dissemination  through  audio-visual programmes of art and culture and training in traditional and  folk art.    The quantum of funding is Rs.10.00 lakhs per year for an organization.  The Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) on the scheme is empowered to recommend the amount beyond the maximum limit but not exceeding Rs.30.00 lakhs from this scheme.
- (b)   The said scheme is a Central Sector Scheme and no funds are released directly to the State Governments.  The details of State-wise funds released to the Non-Governmental Organizations in the Himalayan region under the scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas during the last 3 years and current year are given as under:

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No.   | State                   | Year Wise Fund Released   | Year Wise Fund Released   | Year Wise Fund Released   | Year Wise Fund Released     |
|-----------|-------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------|
|           |                         | 2018-19                   | 2019-20                   | 2020-21                   | 2021-22 (as on 14.03.20 22) |
| 1.        | Arunachal Pradesh       | 69.00                     | 63.12                     | 98.25                     | 103.50                      |
| 2.        | Sikkim                  | 7.50                      | --                        | 26.50                     | 16.50                       |
| 3.        | Himachal Pradesh        | 46.59                     | 55.67                     | 69.00                     | 90.25                       |
| 4.        | UT of Jammu and Kashmir | 31.25                     | 25.71                     | 21.50                     | 73.25                       |
| 5.        | UT of Ladakh            | 7.00                      | 12.00                     | 24.50                     | 18.00                       |
| 6.        | Uttrakhand              | 77.25                     | 73.45                     | 96.25                     | 171.98                      |
| Total     | Total                   | 238.59                    | 229.95                    | 336.00                    | 473.48                      |

(c)    Ministry of Culture  administers a specific Financial Grant Scheme by the name of 'Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Development of Buddhist/ Tibetan  Culture and Art' to  give  financial  assistance  to  the  voluntary  Buddhist/Tibetan  organizations  including Monasteries engaged in the propagation and scientific development of Buddhist/Tibetan culture, tradition and research in related fields. This scheme is applicable throughout the country including the Himalayan Region.

Further,  to  provide  education  in  Buddhist/Tibetan  philosophies  and  Culture  &  Art through the system of a modern university, the following  Autonomous Organizations in Himalayan region are working under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India:

1.  Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh.
2.  Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, Arunachal Pradesh

In addition to the aforesaid Autonomous Organizations, Ministry of Culture also provides annual grants-in-aid for the upkeep and maintenance of the following  Grantee Bodies in Himalayan region for promoting Buddhist/Tibetan Culture and Art:

1.  Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamshala
2.  Centre for Buddhist Cultural Studies, Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
3.  Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Sikkim
4.  GRL Monastic School, Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh