## Policy Summary: National Mission on Cultural Mapping & Tribal Communities in Gujarat
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of Culture and Tourism to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 118, concerning the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) and its impact on tribal communities in Gujarat, specifically with regard to Valsad and Dang districts. The response addresses the question posed by Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel and was answered on July 28, 2025.
**Key Findings:**
* **National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM):** The Ministry of Culture has established the NMCM to document and revitalize village economies through preservation and promotion of cultural heritage at the village level. The Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) portal serves as a comprehensive cultural map, recording traditions, crafts, festivals, oral histories, and heritage elements.
* **Tribal Village Data in Gujarat:** While the MGMD portal maintains data village-wise, not community-wise, the response notes that Gujarat has 19,271 villages, with 5,884 identified as tribal villages. As of July 2025, data from 4,913 of these tribal villages have been uploaded to the MGMD portal.
* **Cultural Hubs in Valsad and Dang:** No dedicated cultural hub or mapping center is currently planned for Valsad and Dang districts. However, these districts fall under the jurisdiction of the Western Zonal Cultural Centre (WZCC), which actively promotes tribal culture through various programs, including the Dang Darbar Festival (Dang district) and the 30th Tribal Festival at Anand. 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.
* **Financial Allocations:** While there is no specific scheme titled "Promotion of Culture of Scheduled Tribes," the NMCM receives financial support under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) for the protection, preservation, and promotion of tribal culture. The financial allocations under DAPST for NMCM are as follows:
* 2022-23: ₹2.61 crore
* 2023-24: ₹2.80 crore
* 2024-25: ₹2.80 crore
* 2025-26: ₹8.07 crore
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Cultural Mapping: A mission by the Ministry of Culture aimed at preserving, promoting, and documenting India's cultural heritage at the village level.
Gujarat: A state in India with a significant number of tribal villages.
Valsad district of South Gujarat: A district in Gujarat that falls under the jurisdiction of the Western Zonal Cultural Centre.
Dang district of South Gujarat: A district in Gujarat known for the Dang Darbar Festival and under the jurisdiction of the Western Zonal Cultural Centre.
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar: A portal maintained under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping, creating a comprehensive cultural map of Indian villages.
Western Zonal Cultural Centre: An organization that conducts programs to promote tribal culture, covering Valsad and Dang districts.
Dang Darbar Festival: A notable event in Dang district dedicated to tribal communities.
Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes: A plan under which the National Mission on Cultural Mapping receives financial support for the protection, preservation, and promotion of tribal culture.
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.
*****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 2.80
2024–25 2.80
2025–26 8.07