– Union Culture Minister Sh Gajendra Singh Shekhawat replies to the question of Sh Trivendra Singh Rawat in Lok Sabha
-43 centrally protected monuments/sites in Uttarakhand are maintained by ASI and are in a good state of preservation : Sh Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
-Sangeet Natak Akademi organized multiple Kala Dharohar and Kala Pravah festivals across Uttarakhand in 2023 and 2024 : Sh Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
-Uttarakhand cultural institutions have received financial assistance under Sangeet Natak Academy support schemes : Sh Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Posted On: 01 DEC 2025 5:40PM by PIB Dehradun
The Union minister of Culture and Tourism Sh Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on Monday replied to the question put up by Haridwar MP Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat regarding the preservation of cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. The union minister in his reply said that currently 43 centrally protected monuments and sites in U’khand are currently under the care and maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Their conservation is undertaken as per requirement and availability of resources, in accordance with the National Policy for Conservation. He added that all sites are presently in a good state of preservation.
The Minister in his reply also highlighted that the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) is playing an active role in promoting folk, traditional and tribal performing arts of Uttarakhand. In the recent past, the Akademi organized several programmes in the state, including:
• Kala Dharohar – a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Suyalbari, Nainital on 23 and 24 August 2024
• Kala Dharohar – a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Dehradun on 14 and 15 November 2024
• Kala Dharohar – a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Tapowan, Tehri Garhwal on 14 and 15 November 2024
• Kala Dharohar, a series of Workshops dedicated to Meera Bai at Chamoli on 11 and 12 December 2024
• Kala Pravah- The Akademi organized two-day festivals of music and dance on 06 July 2024 at the Kasar Devi Temple at Almora
• Kala Pravaah, Mandir Utsav Series, in June 2023 at Kasar Devi Mandir at Almora.
The Ministry stated that to protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art and culture throughout the country, the Government of India has also set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis in their member States. As Uttarakhand is a member State of both North Zone Cultural Centre (NCZC), Patiala and North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj, cultural festivals and art promotion in Uttarakhand are organized by these ZCCs.
Additionally, the Ministry of Culture organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs), where a large number of folk and tribal artists, including local artists from all over India, participate in showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage.
Shri Shekhawat further informed the house that the Sangeet Natak Akademi has started the four training programmes of performing art forms of Uttarakhand under the scheme “Kala Deeksha” (Guru Shishya Parampara). These includes Folk Songs of Garhwal region (Padavani and Manglik Geet) under Guru Ganga Devi Rana, Chamoli, Mashak Been under Guru Harish Lal, Chamoli, Hudka under Guru Loveraj Ram, Munsiyari and Folk Songs of Kumaon region (Neoli, Chhapeli, Bhagnaul and Sanskar Geet) under Pushpa Fartyal, Almora.
Under the Financial Assistance to Cultural Institutions scheme of SNA, in 2021-22 five organisations have received assistance of 2 Lakhs, in 2022-23 eight organisations have received assistance of Rs 3.30 Lakhs and in 2023-24 five organisations have received an assistance of Rs 2.20 Lakhs.
The Minister emphasized that through various programmes and training initiatives, significant positive impact is being observed in the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage.