Lok Sabha Question No. 118 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: National Mission on Cultural Mapping
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 118 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## National Mission on Cultural Mapping

## *118. Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state :

- (a) the number of tribal communities in Gujarat covered under the National Mission on CulturalMapping by July 2025;
- (b)  whether  a  dedicated  cultural  hub  or  mapping  centre  is  being  planned  to  be  set  up inValsad and Dang districts of South Gujarat and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  financial  allocations  made  under  the  scheme  for  Promotion  of Culture ofScheduled Tribes since 2023?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NUMBER 118 FOR REPLY ON 28.07.2025 REGARDING NATIONAL MISSION ON CULTURAL MAPPING ASKED BYSHRI DHAVAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL:

(a) The  Ministry  of  Culture  has  established  the  National  Mission  on  Cultural Mapping  (NMCM)  aimed  at  preserving,  promoting  and  documenting  our  rich  cultural heritage at the village level and  explore  the  potential of revitalizing the village economies.  On  the  Mera  Gaon  Meri  Dharohar  (MGMD),  the  portal  maintained  under NMCM, a comprehensive cultural map of Indian villages has been created by recording their  unique traditions, crafts, festivals, oral histories, and other tangible  and  intangible heritage  elements.  The  data  on  MGMD  portal  is  maintained  village  wise  and  not community wise.

In the State of Gujarat, there are a total of 19271 villages out of which 5884 are tribal villages. Out of these, data with respect to 4913 villages have been uploaded on the portal.

(b) No,  Sir.  However,  Valsad  and  Dang  districts  fall  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the Western  Zonal  Cultural  Centre  (WZCC),  which  regularly  conducts  programmes  to promote tribal culture. Notable events include the Dang Darbar Festival in Dang and the 30th Tribal Festival at Anand, dedicated to tribal communities. The Dang Darbar Festival has  been  documented,  and  the  Rathwani  Gher  dance  has  been  recommended  for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. WZCC also features tribal communities like Rathwa, Mewasi, Daang, and Siddi in major festivals.

(c) There is no scheme titled'Promotion of Culture of Schedule Tribes'. However, the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) has received financial support under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST ) for the protection, preservation, and promotion of tribal culture. The year-wise allocation under the DAPST for NMCM since 2022-23 is as follows:

| Financial Year   |   Allocation (₹in crore) |
|------------------|--------------------------|
| 2022-23          |                     2.61 |
| 2023-24          |                     2.8  |
| 2024-25          |                     2.8  |
| 2025-26          |                     8.07 |