On February 27, 2020, Shri Arjun Munda ,the Union Tribal Affairs Minister has launched the “Programme for Capacity Building of Scheduled Tribe (ST) Representatives in Local Self Governments (LSG)” in Bhubhaneswar, Odisha in the presence of Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Navin Patnaik and Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs.
Arjun Munda also launched “1000 Spring Initiatives” and an online portal on GIS (Geographic Information System)-based Spring Atlas with hydrological and chemical properties of the Springs during the event.
Key Points:
i.The event also saw the release of a short documentary film on FRA in Odisha (Odisha’s Journey in FRA) and FRA (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 Atlas of Odisha.
ii.Capacity Building program: The primary aim of Capacity Building program was to empower the tribal people representatives through promoting their decision making capabilities at local government level (LGL).
This initiative also aims to boost tribal development , constitutional and legal provisions that protect and promote the rights and welfare of the tribal population.
The above said programme witnessed the participation of ST representatives in planning, execution and monitoring of policies and programmes launched by the government.
Over 70 young tribal youths from the rural areas of 3 districts of Odisha namely, Kalahandi, Khandamal and Gajapati have been trained Under this program to enhance their knowledge for identification and mapping of springs, and undertaking rejuvenation and protection measures in their habitations.
iii.1000 Spring Initiatives: This flagship Initiative aims to improve tribal communities, who are living in difficult and inaccessible part of rural areas in the country to get access to safe and adequate water (including better infrastructure for piped water supply for drinking; provision of water for irrigation; community-led total sanitation initiatives; and provision for water for backyard nutrition gardens, generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the tribal people).
iv.Online portal on GIS-based Spring Atlas: It aims to provide better accessibility of Spring data easily from an online platform.At present, over 170 springs data have been uploaded on the Spring Atlas,which was developed by Odisha Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI).
About Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
Founded– October 1999
Headquarters– New Delhi
About Odisha:
Capital– Bhubaneswar
Governor– Ganeshi Lal
National Parks– Bhitarkanika National Park ,Simlipal National Park
