Lok Sabha Question No. 4375 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Conservation and Promotion of Tribal Culture
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4375

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2025

## CONSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF TRIBAL CULTURE

## 4375. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken specific initiatives for the preservation, documentation and promotion of tribal culture and heritage in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the funds allocated and utilized for the conservation of tribal art, language and cultural practices during the last three years; and
- (c) whether the Government has collaborated with tribal communities, experts or institutions to ensure the authenticity and sustainability of tribal cultural projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Ministry of Tribal  Affairs, Government of India has undertaken various initiatives for the preservation, documentation and promotion of tribal culture and heritage in the country. Under the Centrally  Sponsored  scheme  'Support  to  Tribal  Research  Institutes  (TRIs)'  Ministry  provides financial support to 29 Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in States/Union Territories (UTs) on the basis of the Annual Action Plan submitted by the States/UTs subject to the approval of the Apex Committee chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Under the Scheme, proposals relating  to  infrastructural  needs,  research  &  documentation  activities  and  training  &  capacity building  programmes,  organization  of  tribal  festivals,  yatras  for  promotion  of  unique  cultural heritage  and  tourism  and  organisation  of  exchange  visits  by  tribals  are  organised  so  that  their cultural practices, languages and ritual are preserved and disseminated. Ministry has sanctioned various projects to the Tribal Research Institutes of the States/UTs towards activities for the sociocultural, educational, and economic development of the tribal communities. TRIs are primarily institutions  under  the  administrative  control  of  the  State  Government/UT  Administration. The Ministry undertakes following initiatives for the preservation/documentation and promotion of tribal cultural and heritage which are as under:

- i. Ministry has sanctioned 11 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums in 10 states to acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people and to exhibit rich tribal cultural heritage of the region. Other than these Ethnographic Museums are also sanctioned to showcase rare artefacts, dresses, ornaments, weapons etc related to life and culture of various tribes.
- ii. Tribal  Research  Institutes  organise  different  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. Further Ministry provides   funds  to  organize  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. Research studies/publication of books/documentation including audio visual documentaries for promotion of rich tribal cultural heritage which includes preservation of tribal languages.
- iv. Research and documentation of Indigenous practices by tribal healers and medicinal plants, Adivasi  Languages,  agriculture  system,  dances  and  paintings,  organization  of  literary festivals,  publication  of  books  written  by  tribal  writers/  authors,  translation  works  and literature  competitions,  etc.  Preparing  Bilingual  Dictionaries,  Trilingual  Proficiency Modules, Primers for students of Class I, II and III in tribal languages under Multi-Lingual Education  (MLE)  Intervention  in  the  line  of  New  Education  Policy  2020.  Publishing Varnamala, local rhymes, and stories in tribal languages. Publishing books, journals on different tribal languages to promote tribal literature. Documenting folklore, and folktales of different tribes for preservation and promotion of tribal folk tradition. Collecting oral literature (songs, riddles, ballads etc.)
- v. Ministry has developed a searchable digital repository where all research papers, books, reports and documents, folks' songs, photos/videos are uploaded. The repositories can be visited at https://repository.tribal.gov.in/ (Tribal Digital Document Repository)
- vi. 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  socio-economic 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.
- vii. Development of bilingual Primers for the preservation of tribal languages and enhancement of  learning  achievement  levels  amongst  the  Scheduled  Tribe  Students. Many language primers have been developed by various State Governments.
- viii. Tribal cultural exchange programmes.
- ix. 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 thourghout the coutry, 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. Various festivals like Hornbill Festival, Octave, Tribal Dance Festival, Adi Bimb, Adi Sapta Pallav, Adi Lok Rang, Adiwasi Mahotsav, Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs etc. are organised thorugh Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) of Ministry of Culture to promote & preserve the tribal culture.

Further,  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.

(b): Under the scheme of Support to TRIs, Ministry has sanctioned various projects/ activities wherein  100%  funding  is  provided  by the  Central  Government  on  the  proposal  submitted  by

States/UTs. The details of funds released to States/UTs TRIs under the scheme for the conservation of tribal art, language and cultural practices during the last three years is at Annexure-I and also the  details  of  various  activities/projects  approved  under  the  scheme  is  available  at  the  official website of the Ministry https://tribal.nic.in/TRI.aspx

(c): Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  provides  financial  assistance  under  the  Central  Sector  Scheme 'Tribal  Research,  Information,  Education,  Communication and Events  (TRI-ECE)', to reputed research institutions/ organizations/ universities to undertake 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. Further, as informed, various State/UT Tribal Research Institute(s) have collaborated  with  tribal  communities,  experts  or  institutions  to  ensure  the  authenticity  and sustainability of tribal cultural projects.

## Details of funds sanctioned for the conservation of tribal art, language and cultural practices during the last three years are annexed respectively

## Annexure-I(a)

|   Sl No. | State Name     | FY        | Project Name                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |   Project Amount (in Lakh) |
|----------|----------------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh | 2023-2024 | Skill upgradation among the Tribal Artists and Artisans                                                                                                                                                                              |                         50 |
|        2 | Andhra Pradesh | 2023-2024 | Organise one day State Level Tribal Paintings/Art competition and felicitation of eminent Tribal Artists                                                                                                                             |                         15 |
|        3 | Andhra Pradesh | 2022-2023 | Organise one day State Level Tribal Paintings/Art competition and felicitation of eminent Tribal Artists                                                                                                                             |                         15 |
|        4 | Andhra Pradesh | 2022-2023 | Tribal Talent Hunt activity among the Tribal Art & Artisans in the state (9 ITDA areas)                                                                                                                                              |                         90 |
|        5 | Andhra Pradesh | 2021-2022 | Organize one day State Level Tribal Paintings or Art competition and felicitation of eminent Tribal Artists .                                                                                                                        |                         10 |
|        6 | Andhra Pradesh | 2021-2022 | Creating data base and capacity Building to Tribal Artisans and Artists                                                                                                                                                              |                          5 |
|        7 | Assam          | 2023-2024 | Workshop &Exhibition of Bamboo products made by Tribal artisans in the Exhibition site                                                                                                                                               |                         12 |
|        8 | Chhattisgarh   | 2021-2022 | State Level Tribal Art and Painting Competition                                                                                                                                                                                      |                         10 |
|        9 | NTRI Delhi     | 2021-2022 | Chemical treatment and repair of tribal artifacts                                                                                                                                                                                    |                         15 |
|       10 | NTRI Delhi     | 2021-2022 | Cultural Exchange Program for enhancing of livetihood by way of holding tribal dances, tribal arts OR craft exhibitions and tribal cuisines exhibitions (twice of one week duration in a month comprising of 40 artisans\performers) |                        150 |

|   11. | Gujarat           | 2021-2022   | Special Projects Acquired 1 shop in Ekta Mall, Statues of Unity for Tribal Artisans                                                                                                                                           |   16.64 |
|-------|-------------------|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    12 | Gujarat           | 2021-2022   | AKAMTribal art and craft competition                                                                                                                                                                                          |   10.75 |
|    13 | Himachal Pradesh  | 2021-2022   | Tribal art/craft festival - Lahaul                                                                                                                                                                                            |   15    |
|    14 | Himachal Pradesh  | 2021-2022   | Tribal painting - art competition and felicitating tribal artists and entrepreneur - Spiti                                                                                                                                    |   10    |
|    15 | Jammu and Kashmir | 2023-2024   | Tribal Art &Craft Exhibition                                                                                                                                                                                                  |   15    |
|    16 | Jammu and Kashmir | 2023-2024   | Visits by Tribal Artists and Artisans to various states for Cultural festivals &Programs                                                                                                                                      |   20    |
|    17 | Jammu and Kashmir | 2021-2022   | Training to Self Help Groups (SHGs) on value Addition and Food Processing of Minor Forest Produce along with Tribal Artisans                                                                                                  |   20    |
|    18 | Karnataka         | 2021-2022   | AKAMOrganizing State Level Tribal Painting Art Competition and Felicitating Tribal Artists and Entrepreneurs (inviting entries by post or courier) and felicitating them virtually of physically depending upon the situation |   10    |
|    19 | Kerala            | 2023-2024   | Iribal Dance &Music Festival (TribalArtFestival) (MOTA) Iribal Arts &Handicrafts Festival (Tribal Art Festival)                                                                                                               |   56.8  |
|    20 | Kerala            | 2023-2024   | Display, Sale and Demonstration of Tribal Paintings (Tribal Arts &Handicrafts Festival)                                                                                                                                       |    4.1  |
|    21 | Kerala            | 2023-2024   | Ethnic Cuisine Festival (Tribal Art Festival)                                                                                                                                                                                 |    9    |
|    22 | Kerala            | 2023-2024   | Documentation of Vanishing Tribal Art Forms and Oral Literature and Workshop for their Revival                                                                                                                                |   12.65 |
|    23 | Meghalaya         | 2022-2023   | Developing of Art &Craft villages for promotion of Tribal art and craft.                                                                                                                                                      |   82.44 |
|    24 | Meghalaya         | 2021-2022   | State level tribal painting art competition and felicitating tribal artists and entrepreneurs                                                                                                                                 |    9.16 |
|    25 | Mizoram           | 2022-2023   | Tribal Art and Craft, Young Artists sustainable Development                                                                                                                                                                   |   25    |

|   26. | Odisha     | 2023-2024        | Tribal Painting Workshop cum Exhibition by Tribal Artists of Odisha                                                                                                                                                                                   |   10 |
|-------|------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------|
|    27 | Odisha     | 2023-2024        | Promotion of Tribal Museum and Its Management - Live Demonstration of Tribal Art and Crafts by Tribal Artists and Artisans in the Museum Premises                                                                                                     |   45 |
|    28 | Odisha     | 2022-2023        | Capacity Building Training of tribal Artisans on product Diversification, Packaging or Branding and Digital Marketing of 500 Master Tribal Artisans(Batch of 50 Trainees in 10 Groups) and Market Linkage in collaboration with TRIFED,NIFT and ORMAS |   50 |
|    29 | Odisha     | 2022-2023        | Tribal Exchange visit (Participation in Tribal Dance and Tribal Art or Craft Events)                                                                                                                                                                  |   25 |
|    30 | Odisha     | 2022-2023        | Live Demonstration of Tribal Craft and Arts in the Museum Premises ( to show case the rich tribal art or culture) throughout the year {10 tribal artisan in a batch for a fortni8ht on a rotation basis) Rs.1O00 per day per artisan                  |   40 |
|    31 | Odisha     | 2021-2022        | Documentation of tribal products painting, art, handicrafts, artifacts, cuisines oftribals of odisha and HonouringTribal Artisan and their success stories                                                                                            |   15 |
|    32 | Odisha     | 2021-2022        | Providing Capacity Building Training to 2 Batches of Tribal Artisans on Packaging, Product diversification and Digital Marketing                                                                                                                      |   20 |
|    33 | Tamil Nadu | 2021-2022        | Workshop on Tribal Art and Craft                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |    6 |
|    34 | Tripura    | 2022-2023        | Organizing 2 days state level tribal painting/art competition and felicitation of eminent tribal artists                                                                                                                                              |   10 |
|    35 | Uttar      | Pradesh2021-2022 | Organizing State Level Tribal Painting/Art Competition and Feliciating Tribal Artists and Entrepreneurs (inviting entries by post/courier) and felicitating them virtually or physically depending upon the situation Tentative Date March 2022       |   10 |

## Annexure-I(b)

|   Sl No. | State Name     | FY         | Project Name                                                                                                                                                                                       |   Project Amount (in Lakh) |
|----------|----------------|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh | 2022- 2023 | Development &TRI publications of Dictionaries among the Six Tribal Languages i.e. Savara, Konda, Kuvi, Adivasi Oria, Koya &Sugali                                                                  |                      60    |
|        2 | Andhra Pradesh | 2021- 2022 | Development of the Primers of tribal Languages of Jatapu, Gadaba and Yerukula sub tribes ( Preparatory (level 1 in line with NEP requirements)                                                     |                       6    |
|        3 | Chhattisgarh   | 2023- 2024 | Video documentation in Tribal Languages. Including [Gondi (Gond), Halbi (Halba), Baigani (Baiga), Birhori (Birhor) and Kamari (Kamar) ] regarding the awareness about Sickle Cell Anaemia disease. |                      35.33 |
|        4 | Jharkhand      | 2023- 2024 | Writing Workshop and Publication of books on grammar,prose and vese of Parhaiya, Mal Paharia Sabar and Korwa Languages                                                                             |                      15    |
|        5 | Jharkhand      | 2023- 2024 | Publication of books on grammar,prose and vese of Asur,Birhor,Birjia and Malto Languages                                                                                                           |                      15    |
|        6 | Jharkhand      | 2022- 2023 | Launch of Primer (Childrenâ€™s Pictorial) Books for Asuri Korwa Savar and Parhaiya Primitive Tribal (PVTG) Languages                                                                               |                       8    |
|        7 | Kerala         | 2023- 2024 | Primer Preparation for Malaipandaram Tribal Language                                                                                                                                               |                       4.46 |
|        8 | Mizoram        | 2021- 2022 | Digital repository of primers in tribal languages in Mizoram.                                                                                                                                      |                       5    |
|        9 | Odisha         | 2022- 2023 | State Level Tribal Essay Debate competition among students in all 21 tribal languages on tribal freedom fighters and India independence                                                            |                      10    |

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|   10. |         | 2022- 2023   | Audio Video Content Development {2 5 80.00 Approved minutes duration 40 short audio videos in three languages- English, Odia and Hindi) on tribal culture of selected culturally vibrant communities of Odisha for display] in Virtual Mode and Interactive Mode in KIOSKS of the Museum (tr.Rs.2 Lakh for each video including shooting, editing and final 80.00 product   |   80 |
|-------|---------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------|
|    11 |         | 2021- 2022   | Digital repository and documentation of primers in tribal languages developed by TRIs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |   10 |
|    12 | Tripura | 2022- 2023   | An Ethnological study on Karbong subtribes of Tripura including Habitate, Livelihood, Mapping of Karbong subtribes, Language etc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |    8 |
|    13 |         | 2021- 2022   | Celebration of Kokborok day on 19th January of every year since 2004 on its 25 years of recognition of Kokborok as State language on 19th January, 1979.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   10 |
|    14 |         | 2021- 2022   | Natural Language Processing on Kokborok ProgrammingA Translation Lingo Software (Kokborok To Selected Global Languages &Vice versa) Duration 06 months                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |   15 |

## Annexure-I(c)

|   l No. | State Name        | FY        | Project Name                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |   Project Amount (in Lakh) |
|---------|-------------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|
|       1 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2023-2024 | Inter State Cultural Exchange Programme for 3 days 5 groups X 5 members = 25 members                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                          5 |
|       2 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2022-2023 | Interstate Cultural Exchange Programme                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                          5 |
|       3 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2021-2022 | Inter State Cultural Exchange Programme                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                          5 |
|       4 | NTRI Delhi        | 2021-2022 | Cultural Exchange Program for enhancing of livetihood by way of holding tribal dances, tribal arts OR craft exhibitions and tribal cuisines exhibitions (twice of one week duration in a month comprising of 40 artisans\performers)                                                                                                                                      |                        150 |
|       5 | Jammu and Kashmir | 2023-2024 | Panel Discussions on tribal rights, cultural preservation, sustainable development, and identity.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                         10 |
|       6 | Jammu and Kashmir | 2023-2024 | Visits by Tribal Artists and Artisans to various states for Cultural festivals &Programs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                         20 |
|       7 | Jharkhand         | 2021-2022 | Sending Cultural troupes for participating in organized cultural fest to be organized in Orissa.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |                          5 |
|       8 | Odisha            | 2022-2023 | Audio Video Content Development {2 5 80.00 Approved minutes duration 40 short audio videos in three languages- English, Odia and Hindi) on tribal culture of selected culturally vibrant communities of Odisha for display] in Virtual Mode and Interactive Mode in KIOSKS of the Museum (tr.Rs.2 Lakh for each video including shooting, editing and final 80.00 product |                         80 |
|       9 | Tamil Nadu        | 2023-2024 | Nilgiri Tribes Cultural Reviva and Sustainable Development Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                         30 |
|      10 | Telangana         | 2021-2022 | Setting up of Tribal Cultural Hub at Adivasi and Banjara Bhavan Adivasi Bhavan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                         10 |
|      11 | Telangana         | 2021-2022 | Setting up of Tribal Cultural Hub at Adivasi and Banjara Bhavan Banjara Bhavan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                         10 |
|      12 | Telangana         | 2021-2022 | Arrangement of tribal cultural programmes during the Medaram Jathara-2022                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                         10 |
|      13 | West Bengal       | 2021-2022 | Bulletin of cultural research institute, publication on research studies and seminar procedings                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                          1 |

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