Lok Sabha Question No. 42 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Protection of Tribal Culture, Traditions and Customs
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Guman Singh Damor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO-† *42

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 24/07/2023

## PROTECTION OF TRIBAL CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

## † *42 SHRI GUMAN SINGH DAMOR

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether any policy has been formulated for the protection of tribal culture, traditions and customs, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  tribal  culture,  traditions  and  customs  are  permanently  being  destroyed through conversion in tribal areas;
- (c) whether there is any proposal to take steps for the protection of tribal culture, traditions and customs by banning conversion in tribal areas;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether it is likely to be considered;
- (e) the names of the private institutions which are involved in the preservation of Indian culture; and
- (f)  the extent to which their participation has helped in the preservation of cultures?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

- (a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. † *42 for answer on 24.07.2023

(a) to (d): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken various steps to conserve and protect the tribal culture,  tradition  and  customs.  Ministry  is  implementing  the  schemes  of  'Support  to  Tribal Research Institute' and 'Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events' under which various activities are undertaken to conserve and promote tribal culture, archives, artifacts, customs and traditions of the tribal communities.  There are 27 Tribal Research Institutes in  States/UTs  and  National  Tribal  Research  Institute  in  Delhi.  Some  of  the  initiatives  worth mentioning are as under:

(i)   To  acknowledge  the  heroic  and  patriotic  deeds  of  tribal  people  and  to  exhibit  rich  tribal cultural heritage of the region, Ministry has sanctioned 10 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums.

(ii) Ministry has developed searchable digital repository where all research papers, books, reports and documents, folks songs, photos/videos are uploaded. The repository currently has more than 10,000 photographs, videos and publications which are mostly done by Tribal Research Institutes. The  repositories  can  be  visited  at  https://repository.tribal.gov.in/  (Tribal  Digital  Document Repository) and https://tribal.nic.in/repository/ (Tribal Repository).

(iii)     State  level  festivals like Hornbill festival of Nagaland, Medaram Jatra of Telangana are funded through TRI scheme. State Tribal festival, fair and cultural programmes are funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) to showcase glimpses of rich cultural heritage of tribal people across  the  country  through  unique  forms  of  folk  dances,  songs,  cuisine,  exhibition  and demonstration of traditional skill in painting, art and craft, medicinal practices etc.

(iv) TRIFED organizes Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs) to identify new  artisans  and  new  products  at  the sourcing level in States/Districts/Villages for expanding the tribal producers base.

(v)      The Ethnographic Museum of the states preserve and showcase rare artifacts related to life and culture of various tribes.

(vi)    Under 'Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE)', reputed research institutes/organizations/universities have undertaken various research studies/publication of books/documentation including audio visual documentaries to fill the gap of research studies on tribal issues and Promotion of rich tribal cultural, traditions and customs as well  as  capacity building  of tribal persons/institutions associated  with  tribal affairs, dissemination of information and creation of awareness.

(vii)  The  Ministry  of  Culture  is  the  nodal  Ministry  for  promotion  of  culture  including  tribal culture.

Further,  there  are  adequate  constitutional  and  statutory  safeguards  for  protection, preservation, conservation and promotion of tribal culture, traditions and customs.  The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the establishment of Tribal Advisory  Councils in States with Scheduled Areas.  Further, it provides for Special Powers of the Governor in such States.    The  Panchayat  (Extension  to  Scheduled  Areas)  Act,  1996  similarly  provides  for extensive  authority  of  the  Gram  Sabhas/Gram  Panchayats  to  safeguard  and  preserve  the traditions  and customs and their cultural identity. The Sixth Schedule , applicable in the States of  Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, empowers the District and Regional Councils in matters  of  social  customs.      The  schemes  of  Support  to  TRI  and  TRI-ECE  mentioned hereinbefore  and  the  activities  taken  up  thereunder  also  contribute  significantly  toward  the preservation and promotion of tribal culture, traditions and customs.

(e): No data is available in the Ministry in this regard.

(f): Does not arise in view of (e).

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