Lok Sabha Question No. 3413 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: Preservation of Tribal Culture in Valsad
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3413

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2025

## PRESERVATION OF TRIBAL CULTURE IN VALSAD

## 3413. SHRI DHAVAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  document  and  preserve  the  cultural  heritage  of  tribal  communities under the 'Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)' initiative in Valsad;

(b) the research studies conducted on the traditional knowledge and practices of tribal communities in Valsad;

(c) the initiatives undertaken to promote tribal arts, crafts and folklore through cultural festivals and exhibitions; and

(d) the role of digital platforms in preserving and disseminating tribal cultural heritage from Valsad to a wider audience?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  extends  financial  support  to  the  29  State/UT  Tribal  Research  Institute(s) including  Tribal  Research  Institute  Gandhinagar,  Gujarat  that  are  under  administrative  control  of  State/UT Governments under centrally sponsored Scheme "Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)" to  strengthen their infrastructural needs, research & documentation activities and training & capacity building programmes, organization of tribal festivals yatras for promotion of unique cultural heritage and for promoting tourism and organisation of exchange visits by tribals, so that the tribal culture practices, languages and ritual are preserved and  disseminated.  As  informed,  Tribal  Research  Institute  Gujarat  has  taken  various  steps  to  document  and preserve the cultural heritage of Valsad's tribal communities. Traditional dances such as Tur, Dobru and Pawri have been documented and documentary films have been  systematically preserved and primers in the Dhodia dialect have been prepared. A documentary film has been filmed to showcase and highlight Vaghbarasi festival, which venerate Vagh Dev (Tiger God).

(b) to (c):         As informed, the research studies conducted on the traditional knowledge and practices of tribal communities by Tribal Research Institute Gujarat is placed at Annexure I. Further, the initiatives undertaken to promote tribal arts, crafts and folklore through cultural festivals and exhibitions by TRI Gujarat is as follows: i. Tribal Craft Trade Fair - November 2024, Ahmedabad (Vastrapur): It provided a platform for tribal artisans from across the state to showcase and sell their traditional handicrafts.

ii. Valsad Artisans at the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Annual Fair - November 2024: A variety of traditional crafts were showcased by artisans from Valsad.

(d):       Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Gujarat has effectively utilized digital platforms to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Valsad's tribal communities. Various details, literature, videos, and photography have been uploaded to the Adi Prasaran portal/Digital Repository of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. This initiative has facilitated the wider dissemination of tribal heritage, making it accessible to a national audience and ensuring its preservation for future generations.

## Statement referred to in reply to part (b) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3413 for answer on 20.03.2025

Details of Research Studies conducted on the traditional knowledge and practices of tribal communities

|   Sl. No. | Name of Research Studies on the traditional knowledge and practices   |   Publication Number |   Publication year | Language   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|--------------------|------------|
|         1 | Tribal Fair in Gujarat                                                |                  108 |               1982 | Gujarati   |
|         2 | Tribal Folk Music                                                     |                  131 |               1983 | Gujarati   |
|         3 | Folk songs of Dublas                                                  |                   59 |               1979 | Gujarati   |
|         4 | Study of Tribals Folklore                                             |                   40 |               1977 | Gujarati   |
|         5 | Folk Literature of Dublas                                             |                  139 |               1984 | Gujarati   |
|         6 | Marriage songs of Dhodias                                             |                  254 |               1988 | Gujarati   |
|         7 | Socio Religious Movements Among Tribals of South Gujarat              |                   48 |               1977 | English    |
|         8 | Traditional laws of Dhodias of Gujarat                                |                  191 |               1986 | Gujarati   |
|         9 | Traditional laws of Kokna of Gujarat                                  |                  192 |               1986 | Gujarati   |
|        10 | Traditional laws of Chaudhary of Gujarat                              |                  193 |               1986 | Gujarati   |
|        11 | Uses of traditional medicines (herbals) among tribal Valsad district  |                  253 |               1988 | Gujarati   |
|        12 | Development of Dungri warlis                                          |                  268 |               1989 | Gujarati   |
|        13 | Traditional Haat market in tribals                                    |                  420 |               2006 | Gujarati   |
|        14 | Dublas of Gujarat                                                     |                    4 |               1966 | Gujarati   |
|        15 | Warlis of Gujarat                                                     |                  107 |               1982 | Gujarati   |

*****