Jammu, Jan 13
Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest and Tribal Affairs, J&K, Javed Ahmed Rana on Tuesday participated in a Workshop on Mapping Tribal Heritage organised by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu, and underscored the need to preserve tribal heritage while ensuring ethical and community-centric approaches to research and digital documentation.
Addressing the workshop, the Minister described tribal heritage as a “living and evolving legacy” deeply rooted in language, traditions and everyday life. He said safeguarding this heritage is a collective responsibility and called for sustained efforts to document and preserve it without compromising the rights and dignity of tribal communities.
Rana appreciated IIT Jammu for expanding its academic engagement beyond technology and contributing to cultural and tribal studies. He highlighted the growing role of digital tools in preservation but cautioned that issues of ethics, informed consent and community ownership must remain central to any such initiatives.
Emphasising the need for applied research, the Minister encouraged IIT Jammu to undertake practical, policy-oriented studies on critical issues affecting tribal communities, including resettlement, migration, climate change and livelihood security. He stressed that academic research should move beyond seminars and discussions to directly inform governance and bring tangible improvements to people’s lives.
The workshop brought together scholars, researchers and policymakers to deliberate on innovative methods for mapping and preserving tribal heritage, with a focus on inclusive and sustainable development.
