Archive · 10 Aug 2025
India to Digitally Archive Tribal Heritage for Economic Inclusion
The Indian government wants to digitally record the culture of tribal groups.
This means taking pictures, videos, and writing down information about their traditions, like their crafts, songs, and stories.
The goal is to help tribal people make money by selling their unique products and sharing their culture.
The project will start in some states and then expand.
This documentation will also help protect tribal heritage, as some traditions are disappearing.
The government hopes this will help tribal communities economically and socially.
The Indian government plans to digitally archive tribal heritage.
The project aims to boost economic value via GI tagging and market linkages.
Documentation includes ecological knowledge, crafts, and cultural practices.
A pilot project is underway in Jharkhand, with expansion to Chhattisgarh and other states.
A central heritage portal will be developed for data dissemination.
- Who
- The Indian government and tribal communities.
- What
- Digital archiving of Indian tribal heritage.
- When
- Pilot project launched January 26; Documentation to begin in Chhattisgarh in August.
- Where
- Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and other states covered under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Why
- To preserve culture, promote economic opportunities, and aid policymaking.
- Project Goal
- Digitally archive tribal heritage
- Pilot Location
- Jharkhand
- Expansion States
- Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana
- Tribes involved
- Approximately 350 scheduled tribes
- Key Benefit
- Economic value through GI tagging and market linkages
- Chhattisgarh population
- 25.5 million (2011 census)
- Chhattisgarh Tribes
- Gond, Baiga, Maria, Halba, Oraon, Munda