Lok Sabha Question No. 1004 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Promotion and Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Odisha
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1004 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN ODISHA

## 1004. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  funds  allocated,  released,  and  utilized  for  the  preservation  and  promotion  of cultural heritage in Odisha State during the last four financial years and the current financial year, year-wise;
- (b) the  status  of  restoration  and  conservation  projects  for  heritage  sites  in  the  said  State  including Konark  Sun  Temple,  Ratnagiri  Buddhist  Monastery  and  other  prominent  monuments,  during 2022-23 and 2023-24;
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote traditional art, crafts, and folk culture of the said State, particularly in tribal-dominated districts and the outcomes of these initiatives; and
- (d) whether the Government has any proposals to establish new cultural institutions or museums in the said State and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The details of the funds allocated and expenditure incurred for conservation and preservation of centrally protected monuments in the State of Odisha  during the last four years and the current financial year, year-wise are given below:

## (Amount Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | Year                       |   Amount allocated |   Expenditure incurred |
|----------|----------------------------|--------------------|------------------------|
|        1 | 2020-21                    |               3.63 |                   3.63 |
|        2 | 2021-22                    |               8.23 |                   8.23 |
|        3 | 2022-23                    |              13.18 |                  13.17 |
|        4 | 2023-24                    |              12.29 |                  12.29 |
|        5 | 2024-25 (up to 29.01.2025) |               8.15 |                   6.25 |

The  details  of  funds  released  under  Museum  Grant  Scheme  for  set  up  of  new  museum/ development of existing museum are given as under:-

## (Amount Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | Year    | Funds released under the Museum Grant Scheme   |
|----------|---------|------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2020-21 | --                                             |
|        2 | 2021-22 | --                                             |
|        3 | 2022-23 | --                                             |

|   4. | 2023-24                   | 93.24   |
|------|---------------------------|---------|
|    5 | 2024-25 (up to till date) | --      |

- (b) The  status  of  restoration  and  conservation  projects  for  heritage  sites  in  the  State  of  Odisha including Konark Sun Temple, Ratnagiri Buddhist Monastery, and other prominent monuments, during 2022-23 and 2023-24 is given in Annexure-I.
- (c) The Government of India has taken several steps to preserve the diverse cultural heritage of their respective regions and promote traditional and ancient cultures of the country including in tribaldominated districts in Odisha State. The details of the steps taken are given in Annexure -II.
- (d) At present the Government has no proposals to establish new cultural institutions or museums in the State of Odisha.

## ANNEXURE-I

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE  LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1004  FOR 10.02.2025.

The  status  of  restoration  and  conservation  projects  for  heritage  sites  in  the  State  of  Odisha including Konark Sun Temple, Ratnagiri Buddhist Monastery, and other prominent monuments, during 2022-23 and 2023-24

## 2022-23

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Monument                          | Name of the Conservation work                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Sun Temple, Konark Dist. Puri                 | 1. Water tightening and mending to the top coping layer of Prakara wall of Sun Temple, Konark                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         1 | Sun Temple, Konark Dist. Puri                 | 2. Repair and re-setting of damaged/sunken Khandolite stone flooring of main pathway                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|         1 | Sun Temple, Konark Dist. Puri                 | 3. Removal of sand & Stabilization of inner and outer side of Jagamohan of Sun Temple, Konark                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                  | 1. Conservation and Restoration work inside Garbhagriha, Jagamohan and other places of temple during Rathayatra (2022)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                  | 2. Conservation and Restoration work inside Natamandapa, Bhogamandapa and Bhoga Passage in the complex of Shree Jagannath Temple, Pur                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                  | 3. Repair of PujapandaNijogSanskrutaBidyalaya, Suar&MahasuarNijgo go-down roof inside the temple                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                  | 4. Conservation and Restoration of Indrani Temple in the complex of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                  | 5. Conservation the structure of Ishaneswar Temple in the complex                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                  | 6. De-plastering molded lime plastering to the decade wall of inner entrance gumuta both side of BaisiPahacha of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                  | 7. Laying of stone flooring of Rosaghara (Sacred Kitchen complex) in the complex of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|         3 | Chandrasekhar Jew Temple, Kapilash, Dhenkanal | Restoration of ancient steps, floor, Japamandapa, Ritual tank etc. and development work of Chandraskhar Jew Temple, Kapilash                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|         4 | Dharma Mahakal Temple, Ratnagiri              | Development of Dharma Mahakal Temple and its surrounding area with providing basic amenities/rituals for shifting of the deities at Ratnagiri, Dist. Jajpur.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|         5 | Shree Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar            | Lime surkhi plaster of roof, JagaMohana and joint ceiling work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|         6 | Shree Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar            | (1)Providing of double scaffolding, (2) Carefully taking out old decayed wooden panel door, (3) Removing existing decayed and bulged brass cladding, (4) Cutting of damaged decayed, bulged, tilted wooden panel door, (5) Providing seasoned Saal wood for repairing, (6) Fixing stainless steel hold fast and base plate below the wooden fate for free movement, (7) Brass cladding by using serviceable material from old one, (8) Providing and applying wooden preservative to new door, (9)Providing and applying epoxy paint, (10) Providing temporary wooden door, (11) Fixing newly repaired door after brass cladding. |

|   07. | Sahasralinga Tank, Bhubaneswar                                 | (1)Cleaning of water hyacinth, (2) Recess pointing with mortar, (3) Disposal of malba/unserviceable and waste material, (4) Making channel for drainage of water, (5) Desilting of slushy soil, (6) Removal of damaged laterite/sand stone members, (7) Laterite/sand stone masonry with mortar, recess pointing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|-------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|     8 | Megheswar, Bhubaneswar                                         | (1)Site clearance by removing wild vegetation, bushes, shrubs adjoining the structure, (2) Cleaning of water hyacinth, (3) Making channel for drainage of water, (4) Desilting of slushy soil, (5) Removal of damaged laterite/sand stone members, (6) Laterite/sand stone masonry with mortar, recess pointing, (7) Disposal of malba/unserviceable and waste material.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|     9 | Yudhistir Temple, Mahendragiri, Dist. Gajapati                 | (1) Site clearance by way of removing wild vegetation, (2) Providing and fixing double scaffolding system, (3) Raking out joints, (4) Black Granite stone masonry in flooring inside main temple, (5) Recess pointing on remains of ancient structures and flooring, (6) Fixing of stainless steel on lintel support of hollow tubes, channels, etc., (7) Providing and fixing of signage (CNB) and direction board, (8) Excavation work for boundary wall, (9) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in foundation, (10) Coursed rubble masonry with hard stone in superstructure above plinth level, (11) Providing and laying cement concrete in retaining walls, coping etc. (12) Steel work welded in built up sections and painting, (13) Pointing on stone work, (14) Filling available excavated earth; Supply and filling in plinth with sand.                                                  |
|    10 | Brahmeswar Temple, Bhubaneswar                                 | (1)Site clearance by removing wild vegetation, bushes, shrubs adjoining the structure, (2) Cleaning of water hyacinth, (3) Making channel for drainage of water, (4) Desilting of slushy soil, (5) Removal of damaged laterite/sand stone members, (6) Laterite/sand stone masonry with mortar, recess pointing, (7) Disposal of malba/unserviceable and waste material.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|    11 | Kunti Temple, Mahendragiri, Gajapati                           | (1) Site clearance by way of removing wild vegetation, (2) Providing and fixing double scaffolding system, (3) Raking out joints of stone masonry surface, (4) Drilling holes & PMC grouting with acrylic polymer emulsion, (5) Recess pointing, (6) Material shifting from stock to word spot, (7) Removing excess earth in flooring for earth work, (8) Filling of plinth with sand, (9) Khandolite stone flooring with mortar, (10) Steel work for grill structure of boundary wall, (11) Laying cement concrete in retaining walls, (12) Providing and fixing solar street light & water pump, (13) Providing drinking water facility, (14) Fixing of direction board with MS angle, (15) Fitting and fixing of Khandolite stone benches for visitors, (16) Providing and fixing of signage (CNB), (17) Painting of MS grill structure with synthetic enamel paint, (18) Disposal of waste material. |
|    12 | Group of Monument (Eastern side) at Ranipur, Jharial, Bolangir | (1) Excavation work by manual means in foundation trench, (2) Supplying and filling with river sand, (3) Laying PCC in foundation, (4) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in foundation and plinth, (5) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in superstructure above plinth level, (6) Laying cement concrete in coping and as CC blocks (for fixing grills), (7) Flush pointing on stone work with cement mortar, (8) Steel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

|    |                                                                                                                           | work as required in MS grills, (9) Painting steel work with paint.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 13 | Excavated remains at Sisupalghar, Bhubaneswar                                                                             | (1) Site clearance by way of removing wild vegetation growth, (2) Surface dressing for boundary wall, (3) Earth work in excavation for boundary wall, (4) Supplying and filling in plinth for boundary wall, (5) Laying in position cement concrete, (6) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in foundation and plinth, (7) White sand stone work in plain ashlar in super structure, (8) Steel works for boundary wall, (9) Laying cement concrete in retaining walls, return walls for fixing of grill post, (10) Steel work for entrance gate, (11) Painting with synthetic enamel paint on steel work of boundary wall, (12) Filling available excavated earth in trenches, (13) Disposal of rubbish/malba. |
| 14 | Group of Monuments (Someswar, Indralath, Kapileswarmahadev, Dhabaleswarmahadev& ancient tank), Ranipur- Jharial, Bolangir | (1) Demolishing brick work, (2) Earth work in excavation, (3) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in foundation and plinth, (4) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in superstructure, (5) Laying cement concrete in coping CC blocks, (6) Flush pointing on stone work with cement mortar, (7) Steel work in MS grill, (8) Painting steel work, (9) Providing and fixing of CNB, (10) Providing sitting benches, (11) Providing and fixing double scaffolding system, (12) Raking out joints of stone masonry surface, (13) pointing of the joints of ashlars stone masonry in lime.                                                                                                                        |

2023-24

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Monument             | Name of the Conservation work                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Sun Temple, Konark Dist. Puri    | Removal of sand & Stabilization of inner and outer side of Jagamohan of Sun Temple, Konark                                                                                                    |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri     | 1. MW to Conservation and Restoration works inside GarbhaGriha, Jagamohan and other places of temple during RathaYatra Festival at Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri (2023-2024)                   |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri     | 2. MW to Conservation and Restoration works inside Natamandapa, Bhogamandapa, Bhoga passage and other places of temple during RathaYatra Festival at Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri (2023-2024) |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri     | 3. Strengthening & retrofitting to the capital stone of four central column by S S confinement inside Natamandapa at Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                             |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri     | 4. MW to Repair of South side entrance gate with inner approach steps to south side Kurmibedha of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                                                |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri     | 5. MW to Repair and restoration of MerdhaRoshaghar (old kitchen) in South side of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                                                                |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri     | 6. MW Structural Strengthening of Natamandap inner side at Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                                                                                       |
|         2 | Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri     | 7. Repair and relaying of Khandolite stone floor in south east platform near ChahaniMandapa of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri                                                                   |
|         3 | Dharma Mahakal Temple, Ratnagiri | 1. Development of Dharma Mahakal Temple and its surrounding area with providing basic amenities/rituals for shifting of the deities at Ratnagiri, Dist. Jajpur.                               |

|    |                                                                | 2. Development of Dharma Mahakal Temple requires after shifting of deity to the transplanted temple at Ratnagiri, Dist. Jajpur, with peripheral development. 3. Water tightening of the brick/stone Buddhist Stupas at the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|----|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Ancient site at Baneswaranasi, Padamal, Dist - Cuttack         | complex, wherever required. Conservation and Development work of Ancient site Baneswarnasi, Padamal, Dist. Cuttack.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|  5 | Chandrasekhar Jew Temple, Kapilash, Dhenkanal                  | Conservation of Main Temple and Jagamohan of Chandrasekhar Jew Temple at Kapilash, Dist - Dhenkanal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|  6 | Group of Monument (Eastern side) at Ranipur, Jharial, Bolangir | (1) Excavation work by manual means in foundation trench, (2) Supplying and filling with river sand, (3) Laying PCC in foundation, (4) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in foundation and plinth, (5) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in superstructure above plinth level, (6) Laying cement concrete in coping and as CC blocks (for fixing grills), (7) Flush pointing on stone work with cement mortar, (8) Steel work as required in MS grills, (9) Painting steel work with paint.                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|  7 | Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneswar                                   | (1) Dismantling damaged, unleveled, out of plumb sand stone/laterite stone, (2) Dismantling damaged steel work, (3) Sand stone masonry at pathways, (4) Providing and laying tactile tile (for vision impaired persons), (5) Providing and fixing Khandolite stone pillars/posts with GI chain on both side of pathways, (6) Supply and fixing of Bollards at both side of pathways, (7) Recess pointing, (8) Steel work in built up tubular trusses etc., (9) Laying laterite stone masonry on pathway for laying tactile tile, (10) Disposala of waste material, (11) Renovation and reconstruction of old ticket counter.                                                                                     |
|  8 | Excavated remains at Sisupalghar, Bhubaneswar                  | (1) Site clearance by way of removing wild vegetation growth, (2) Surface dressing for boundary wall, (3) Earth work in excavation for boundary wall, (4) Supplying and filling in plinth for boundary wall, (5) Laying in position cement concrete, (6) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in foundation and plinth, (7) White sand stone work in plain ashlar in super structure, (8) Steel works for boundary wall, (9) Laying cement concrete in retaining walls, return walls for fixing of grill post, (10) Steel work for entrance gate, (11) Painting with synthetic enamel paint on steel work of boundary wall, (12) Filling available excavated earth in trenches, (13) Disposal of rubbish/malba. |
|  9 | Papanashini Tank, Bhubaneswar                                  | (1) Earth work in excavation, (2) Supplying and filling in plinth with sand, (3) Laying in position cement concrete of specified grade, (4) Laterite/sand stone masonry with mortar, (5) Providing and fixing of double scaffolding system on the exterior and interior side, (6) Raking out stone joints, (7) Recess pointing of ancient structure and floor with mortar, (8) Steel work for boundary wall grill structure, (9) Laying in position cement concrete of specified grade, (10) Painting with synthetic enamel paint, (11) Disposal of malba/unserviceable                                                                                                                                          |

|    |                                                                                                                           | materials.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10 | Rameswar Temple, Bhubaneswar                                                                                              | (1) Removal/dismantling dead, damaged, unleveled laterite/sand stone, (2) Providing and fixing double scaffolding system and staircase system in the scaffolding, (3) Raking out joints of stone masonry, (4) Drilling of holes 01 12mm diaupto 300mm depth, (5) PMC grouting of roof area with acrylic polymer emulsion etc. at Jagamohan and main temple, (6) Recess pointing on ancient structure and floor, (7) Resetting of sand stone at flooring, jagamohan inner flooring, parikrama floor, entrance gate floor and step well floor etc., (8) Resetting of sand stone at wall of step well with mortar, (9) Disposal of rubbish/malba/ unserviceable materials, (10) Steel work in built up tubular, square or rectangular hollow tubes at step well cover, door of main temple and jagamohan. |
| 11 | Rameswar Temple, Bhubaneswar                                                                                              | (1) Site clearance, (2) Surface dressing of the ground, (3) Removal of excess earth, (4) Dewatering from the water tank, (5) Making channel for draining water, (6) Excavation work by manual means in foundation, (7) Laying cement concrete with mortar, (8) Laterite/sand stone masonry with mortar, (9) Raking out joints, (10) Recess pointing with mortar, (11) Supply and fixing of stone benches, (12) Providing and fixing of solar street light, (13) Disposal of waste material.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 12 | Group of Monuments (Someswar, Indralath, Kapileswarmahadev, Dhabaleswarmahadev& ancient tank), Ranipur- Jharial, Bolangir | (1) Demolishing brick work, (2) Earth work in excavation, (3) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in foundation and plinth, (4) Random rubble masonry with hard stone in superstructure, (5) Laying cement concrete in coping CC blocks, (6) Flush pointing on stone work with cement mortar, (7) Steel work in MS grill, (8) Painting steel work, (9) Providing and fixing of CNB, (10) Providing sitting benches, (11) Providing and fixing double scaffolding system, (12) Raking out joints of stone masonry surface, (13) pointing of the joints of ashlars stone masonry in lime.                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| 13 | Udaygiri and Khandagiri Jain Caves, Bhubaneswar                                                                           | (1) Earth work in excavation, (2) Supplying and filling in plinth with sand, (3)Laying in position cement concrete, (4) Laying factory made cement concrete interlocking paver block, (5) Laying tactile tile, (6) Laying of finely dressed laterite stone masonry at drinking water, ticket counter, boundary wall, (7) Raking out joints of stone masonry surface, (8) Flush pointing on laterite stone masonry, (9) Steel work as railings, gates and similar works, (10) Providing and fixing railing, (11) White sand stone masonry work including pointing, (12) Dismantling tile work, (13) Demolishing cement concrete, (14) Painting with synthetic enamel plaint, (15) Supply of bamboo make                                                                                                 |
| 14 | Kunti Temple, Mahendragiri, Gajapati                                                                                      | dustbin. (1) Site clearance by way of removing wild vegetation, (2) Providing and fixing double scaffolding system, (3) Raking out joints of stone masonry surface, (4) Drilling holes & PMC grouting with acrylic polymer emulsion, (5) Recess pointing, (6) Material shifting from stock to word spot, (7) Removing excess earth in flooring for earth work, (8) Filling of plinth with sand, (9) Khandolite stone flooring with mortar, (10) Steel work for grill structure of boundary wall, (11) Laying cement concrete in retaining walls, (12) Providing and fixing solar street light & water pump, (13) Providing drinking water facility, (14) Fixing of direction board with MS angle, (15)                                                                                                 |

| Fitting and fixing of Khandolite stone benches for visitors, (16) Providing and fixing of signage (CNB), (17) Painting of MS grill structure with synthetic enamel paint, (18) Disposal of waste material.   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

## ANNEXURE-II

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE  LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1004  FOR 10.02.2025.

The  Government  of  India  recognizes  the  country's  rich  cultural  diversity.    The  National Akademis  under  Ministry  Culture  have  successfully  fostered  a  vibrant  art  ecosystem  by expanding  their reach through strategic partnerships with Zonal Cultural Centres, State Akademies, and other government bodies. These institutions and centers actively promote and preserve the diverse cultural heritage of their  respective regions,  with special emphasis on the needs of tribal communities.

The Ministry of Culture, through its Autonomous Bodies, has taken several steps to preserve and promote  the  traditional  and  ancient  cultures  of  tribal  communities  across  India,  including  in Odisha, as outlined below-:

- (i) Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts  (IGNCA)  has  undertaken  various  initiatives  to preserve  and promote  tribal culture, particularly in  Odisha.  These  initiatives include documenting  tribal  customs  through  recordings  and  written  records,  creating  museum-like spaces  to  display  tribal  artefacts,  organizing  festivals  celebrating  tribal  music  and  dance, offering  scholarships  for  tribal  youth,  preserving  knowledge  about  various  tribes,  and reviving traditional arts.
- (ii) Lalit  Kala  Akademi  (LKA)  supports  tribal  and  folk  art  through  camps,  exhibitions,  and publications. Its Bhubaneswar Regional Centre organizes camps for tribal and contemporary artists from Odisha and neighboring states, offering a platform to showcase their work.
- (iii) Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  (SNA)  works  to  preserve  and  promote  India's  performing  arts, including  folk  and  tribal  traditions.  The  Akademi  organizes  festivals,  workshops,  and exhibitions,  and  supports  documentation  and  research  through  grants.  Events  such  as 'Deshaj',  Lok  Jan  Pratha  Utsav,  Lok  Sangam,  and  Utkarsh  celebrate  tribal  culture  and traditions.

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