Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs supports the preservation and dissemination of tribal cultural heritage through financial support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) under the "Support to Tribal Research Institutes" scheme. Initiatives include research, documentation, cultural events, and language preservation efforts. The government also commemorates tribal contributions through Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on November 15th and Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh. The Ministry does not directly fund tribal artists or hold national consultations regarding monetizing tribal heritage through tourism.
Key Points / Main Content:
Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs):
* Financial support is extended to 29 TRIs in States/UTs based on approved Annual Action Plans.
* Funding supports research, documentation, training, cultural events, and exchange visits to preserve tribal culture, languages, and rituals.
* TRIs are primarily under the administrative control of State Governments/UT Administrations.
Initiatives to Document and Preserve Intangible Tribal Culture:
* Research and documentation, including audio-visual documentaries, to promote tribal cultural heritage and languages.
* Research and documentation of Indigenous practices, Adivasi languages, agriculture systems, dances, and paintings.
* Organization of literary festivals, publication of books by tribal writers, translation works, and literature competitions.
* Development of Bilingual Dictionaries, Trilingual Proficiency Modules, and Primers for students in tribal languages.
* Publication of Varnamala, local rhymes, and stories in tribal languages, as well as books and journals on tribal languages.
* Documentation of folklore and folktales and collection of oral literature for preservation and promotion.
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and Varsh:
* November 15th is declared Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honor tribal freedom fighters and acknowledge their contributions.
* The Ministry, along with other entities, celebrates tribal history, culture, and achievements since 2021.
* Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh (JJGV) commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, celebrating tribal contributions, culture, and heritage.
Other Points:
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs does not run the NISHTHA programme.
* Cultural elements are integrated into tribal museum exhibits or digital platforms where provisioned.
* The Ministry does not directly provide financial support to tribal artists. However, TRIs organize cultural events where tribal artists can showcase their heritage.
* No national-level consultation has been held with tribal communities regarding monetizing their heritage through tourism.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UT Administrations
* Impact: Responsible for administering TRIs and implementing approved Annual Action Plans.
* Action Required: Develop and submit Annual Action Plans for TRIs, oversee the implementation of approved initiatives, and manage TRIs effectively.
Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)
* Impact: Receive financial support to conduct research, documentation, and cultural preservation activities.
* Action Required: Develop and implement research projects, documentation initiatives, and cultural events to preserve and promote tribal heritage.
Tribal Artists
* Impact: Can participate in cultural events organized by TRIs to showcase their heritage, although direct financial support from the Ministry is not available.
* Action Required: Participate in TRI-organized events to promote their cultural heritage through performances and exhibitions.
Tribal Communities
* Impact: Benefit from the preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage, languages, and traditions.
* Action Required: Engage with TRIs and participate in cultural events and initiatives to ensure the preservation and promotion of their heritage.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary government ministry responsible for tribal affairs in India.
Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi: The name of the Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY: Minister of State for Tribal Affairs.
Tribal Research Institutes: Institutions in States/Union Territories focused on tribal research and cultural preservation. Also referred to as TRIs.
New Education Policy 2020: The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a policy framework introduced by the Government of India to revamp the education system of India.
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: 15th November, declared as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honour tribal freedom fighters.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda: A tribal freedom fighter, whose 150th birth anniversary is being commemorated.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme Support to Tribal Research Institutes: A scheme under which the Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides financial support to Tribal Research Institutes in States and Union Territories.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 862
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
PRESERVING TRIBAL CULTURAL HERITAGE
862. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any new initiatives are underway to document and preserve intangible tribal cultural heritage and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of tribal communities whose musical, oral or craft traditions have been recorded under the
NISHTHA programme;
(c) whether these cultural elements are being integrated into museum exhibits or digital platforms and if so, the
details thereof;
(d) the details of financial support provided to tribal artists for the preservation and performance of their
heritage; and
(e) whether any national-level consultation has been held with tribal communities regarding monetising their
heritage through tourism and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a): Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India under the Centrally Sponsored scheme ‘Support to Tribal
Research Institutes (TRIs)’ extends 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, inter-alia 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.
TRIs are primarily institutions under the administrative control of the State Government/UT
Administration. Under the scheme, some of the initiatives to document and preserve intangible tribal cultural
are as under:
1. Research studies/documentation including audio visual documentaries for promotion of rich tribal
cultural heritage which includes preservation of tribal languages.
2. 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 to V 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.)
3. Government of India has also 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. Further,
the Government of India is commemorating Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh (JJGV) on the occasion of the
150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, with the objective of celebrating the contributions,
culture, and heritage of tribal communities across the nation.
(b) & (c): Ministry of Tribal Affairs does not run the NISHTHA programme. However, cultural elements are
being integrated into tribal museum exhibits or digital platforms, wherever provisioned.
(d): Ministry of Tribal Affairs per se does not provide financial support directly to tribal artists for the
preservation and performance of their heritage However, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to
Tribal Research Institute(s)”, the Ministry extends financial support to Tribal Research Institute(s) of the States
/ UTs, Tribal Research Institutes in organizing different cultural events like National Tribal Craft Mela,
National/State Tribal Festivals, Art Competition, Workshop – cum – Exhibition on Tribal paintings, State-level
tribal poet and writers meet etc., with an objective to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of the
tribals. Tribal artists participate in these events and showcase their rich cultural heritage through varied cultural
performances.
(e): No. However, states manage the Tribal Museums and interact with the tribal communities to promote their
culture and heritage.
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