Lok Sabha Question No. 4373 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Setting up of Tribal Monuments and Museums
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama

## SETTING UP OF TRIBAL MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS

4373. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has set up monuments and museums showcasing tribes and tribal cultural heritage and their contribution to India's Independence and nation-building and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to set up such centres at the zonal, divisional or district level and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether programmes are being organized at the local or district level to boost the self-pride of tribals, most backward and deprived groups and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a): Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Support  to  Tribal  Research  Institutes'  to  States/UTs  for  setting  up  Tribal  Freedom  Fighters Museum to acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people who struggled against the colonial  rule  and  dedicated  their  life  to  the  nation.  Ministry  has  approved  11 projects  for  the construction of museums for tribal freedom fighters in 10 States. Other than these Ethnographic Museum  are  also  sanctioned  to  showcase  rich  tribal  cultural  heritage,  rare  artefacts,  dresses, ornaments,  weapons,  etc.,  related  to  life  and  culture  of  various  tribes.  Under  the  scheme,  the Ministry provides grants to the State/UT. The State/UT is required to provide land, prepare detailed project report and implement the project through a construction and curation agency.  Further, as informed, Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture is the custodian of built heritage sites, primarily develops 'Archaeological Site Museums' to showcase the artefacts recovered from archaeological explorations, excavations or loose sculptures, detached from monuments at/near the site, so that the objects do not loose their cultural significance.

(b): So  far,  proposal  to  set  up  such  zonal,  divisional  or  district  level  centres  are  not  under consideration.

(c): Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs,  Government  of  India  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  scheme 'Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)' supports 29 Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in States/Union Territories (UTs) for organization of various activities which are as under:

- i. Tribal  festivals,  exchange  visits  by  tribals,  events  like  National  Tribal  Craft  Mela, National/State Tribal Dance Festival, Art Competition, Workshop - cum - Exhibition on Tribal paintings and state-level tribal poet and writers meet.
- ii. Organization of tribal fairs & festivals, festivals like "Medaram Jathara" undertaken by the Koya Tribe of Telangana, Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, Sarhul Festival of Jharkhand, Lokotsav of Goa and Pawl Kut festival of Mizoram, etc.
- iii. Moreover, Government of India has declared 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honour all the tribal freedom fighters to remember and acknowledge their contribution to the  freedom struggle and cultural  heritage,  and  to  re-energize  the  efforts  for  the socioeconomic development of the tribal regions. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with other  Central  Ministries,  State  Governments,  and  other  Institutions  are  celebrating  the glorious  history  of  its  tribal  people,  culture,  and  achievements  since  2021.  Also, Government of India is commemorating 150 th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh from 15 th November, 2024 to 15 th  November, 2025.

Further, TRIFED also organizes Adi Mahotsav festival at National level and State level and 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.

Moreover, the Ministry of Culture is the Nodal Ministry for the promotion of culture including tribal culture as part of its larger mandate for protection and preservation of India's diverse culture. To protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art and culture including tribal culture throughout the country, the Ministry of Culture has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) in the country during 1985-86 with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.

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