Bhubaneswar: In yet another novel initiative, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced the creation of 14 Special Development Councils for the preservation and propagation of tribal culture and the protection of the unique identity of all tribal groups. The new 14 special development councils will be created for Angul, Bolangir, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Devgarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nayagarh, and Sambalpur districts.
With the creation of the 14 new special development councils, the number of such councils will go up from 9 to 23. The first special development councils were created in 2017-18 for the preservation of tribal art, culture, and literature.
The Chief Minister made this announcement in a programme organised at the Tribal Ground here in Unit 1 today.
Earlier, 64 lakh people in 117 blocks of 9 districts of Odisha were involved in the special development councils and now it will be implemented in 172 blocks of 23 districts, said the Chief Minister. For this, the state government will spend Rs 223 crore in the financial year 2023-24. The Chief Minister announced that more than 80 lakh tribal people will participate in this programme and work for the protection and development of their art and culture.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that tribal culture has a deep connection with Jagannath culture and emphasises the protection of nature and the environment. The Chief Minister said that worship of nature and brotherhood are the main basis of tribal culture.
Stating that art and culture have an important role in the definition of development, the Chief Minister said that the Special Development Councils have been formed for the preservation of their art and culture. From politics to literature, culture, language, and politics, tribal people have contributed in all fields. They have glorified Odisha’s culture. “I am proud of them,” said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said that with the formation of the new councils, all the tribal groups can fully contribute to the protection of their art and heritage.
Stating that people are interested in tribal art and culture, the Chief Minister said that the Tribal Museum in Bhubaneswar has now become an attraction for tourists.
Patnaik expressed hope that more research will be done on the Jatiyati culture, their outlook on life, the conservation of nature, and their medical practices.
It is worth noting that in 2017 Odisha was the only state in India to protect the unique culture of tribals creating the Special Development Councils. Many programmes have been adopted in this, such as the preservation of sacred trees of the tribal people, formation of cultural clubs, organisation of cultural programmes, etc. To date, more than 60,000 projects have been implemented under this programme.
Out of 4,599 identified sacred trees, 4,496 trees have been preserved and 1,592 clubs have been formed. Janajat bilingual dictionary and trilingual proficiency module have been prepared in 21 languages and distributed in 30 districts.
Speaking on this occasion, Jagannath Saraka, Minister of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Development Department, said that the Chief Minister has taken steps to improve the standard of living of the tribals. He said that the Special Development Councils will create a new trend of development for the tribals.
Special Development Council adviser Pradeep Majhi said that this initiative of the Chief Minister for tribal development will be remembered by future generations. This council will act as a bridge of communication between all tribal groups.
The Chief Minister launched a coffee table book on the Special Development Council.
The Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Chief Minister’s Personal Secretary (5T) VK Pandian, and other senior officials were present at the programme today.
Welcoming the guests, Scheduled Castes and Tribes Department Commissioner and Secretary Rupa Roshan Sahu said that no other state or country has taken the initiative like the Special Development Council to promote the unique ideas of tribal culture.
Indramani Tripathi, Member Secretary of ATLC, presented the vote of thanks.
