Question : PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF ANCIENT GOND CULTURE

(a) the specific steps proposed to be taken by the Government for the protection and promotion of the ancient ‘gond culture’ by making the areas corresponding to ancient gond empire and its ancient capital “Ramnagar” District Mandla (Madhya Pradesh) the hub of activity for that purpose;

(b) the steps being taken by the Government to organise the ‘gond’ festivals for propagation of the said culture;

(c) whether efforts are being made to get guidance and assistance from ‘UNESCO’ for propagation of the said culture at the international level;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)

(a) & (b) : The Anthropological Survey of India under the Ministry of Culture has documented the tribal culture of the Gond tribe. The Survey is also conducting the documentation of the dormitory system of the Maria Gond. The ethnographic artifacts of the Gond are on the display at Zonal Anthropological Museum as part of a protection and preservation of Gond culture.

(c) , (d) & (e) : No, Sir.