Lok Sabha Question No. 3639 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-20
Subject: Status of Brokpa Tribes
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3639

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 20/12/2021

## STATUS OF BROKPA TRIBES

## 3639. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the origin, historical background and present status of the Brokpa (Dard Aryan and Dard Shina) Tribes and total numbers of villages and population in Ladakh and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware of that the Aryan valley is divided into Leh and Kargil Districts and the Aryan Tribal Community is demanding for inclusion of Dartsik, Garkhone and Gurgurdho villages of the Aryan valley in Leh District and making of a separate Sub Division of Leh District;

- (c) the Aryan community of Ladakh is also demanding a reserved seat of Councilor in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh for them and also demanding official mechanisms to preserve and promote the important cultural identity of Dard Aryan including Language and customs;
- (d) if so, the reasons and details thereof; and
- (e) the action has been taken by Government on the demands of the Aryan Tribal Community of Ladakh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

(a): Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh informed that no record is available in the repository of Archives & Antiquities office, Leh of the origin & historical background of the Brokpa (Dard Aryan and Dard Shina) tribes of Leh. In Leh district there are 8 hamlets in Dha-Beema and Hanu villages with an approximate population of 2030 individuals from the said tribes. In Kargil district 21 villages have population of Dard Aryan & Dard Shina tribes totaling 20512 individuals.

(b): Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh informed that the villages -Darchik, Garkone and Gurgurdo are part of Kargil District and Dha-Beema and Hanu villages fall in the Leh district. There has been a demand to put the villages under one administrative set-up.

(c)  to  (d): Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh also informed that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council(LAHDC), Leh is in receipt of representation from Sarpanch and Nambardar of Dha (Beema) demanding;

-  Separate Councillor seat in LAHDC, Leh for Dard Aryan Community.
-  Separate Councillor seat in LAHDC, Kargil for Dard Aryan Community.
-  Separate Block for Dard Aryan Community of Leh.
-  Recognition of Dardi-Aryan language as one of the languages of UT Ladakh.
-  Demand for mechanism to promote Dardi-Aryan Language and Customs by creating posts in the Department of Culture: (i) Editor (Dardi language) 1 post, (ii) Assistant Editor (Dardi Language) 1 post and (iii) Research Assistant (Dardi Assistant) 2 posts.

(e): Ladakh  Autonomous  Hill  Development  Council  comes  under  the  domain  of  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs. Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh informed that they have been taking various steps for preservation of cultural heritage of Ladakh, including those of Aryan valley, through festivals and cultural events.  However, the specific  issues  raised  require  wider  consultations  with  all  stakeholders  and  experts.  Besides  the  provisions  of  the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997 have to be taken into consideration.

Further, a cultural centre by the name of 'Interpretation cum Drokpa Cultural Centre' has been established at Beema at a cost of Rs. 89.20 lac in 2011-12.

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