(a) the details of various schemes run by the Government to promote anthropological research studies in the Country;
(b) the total number of recognised anthropologists in India;
(c) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of anthropologists in the country by promoting anthropological studies; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI):
• Mapping Bio-Cultural Profile of Indian Population. Already published anthropological profile of 4635 communities under People of India Project.
• To provide Financial Assistance to external organizations for projects relating to documentation, audio-visual recording, digitalization etc. as part of research and studies in Anthropology namely “Assistance to State Governments, institutions and organizations for documentation and dissemination of research results in the field of Anthropology”.
• Documentation of Tribal Cultural studies and events.
• Physical Growth and Development of the children of North East India.
• Community Genetics and Health: Bio-Cultural Adaptation.
• Bio-Cultural Diversity, Environment and Sustainable Development.
• Bio-Sphere Reserve Studies.
• DNA Banking.
• Conservation & Preservation/Documentation and Dissemination of Tribal Culture through Museums/Visual Documentation.
• Conservation of Pre-Historical artifacts.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS):
• Infrastructure Development - Under this sub-scheme, IGRMS develops various open air and indoor exhibitions after extensive research among the folk and tribal communities.
• Education and Outreach - It includes documentation of art and craft traditions of folk and tribal communities by organising training camps and artist workshop, documentation of intangible aspect of culture by organising various field events including documentation of various festival and social-religious practices of folk and tribal communities across the country.
• Operation Salvage - It includes activities for salvaging of vanishing but valuable aspects of folk and tribal culture through collection among the communities and salvage through field work.
(b) There are 181 numbers of sanctioned posts of anthropologists in the Anthropological Survey of India. Universities and other organisations have many anthropologists. However, it is not possible to give the number.
(c) Yes, Madam.
(d) AnSI has conducted activities like exhibitions, seminars, symposium and workshops in collaboration with Universities, NGOs and other institutions involved in Anthropological Research all over India including its various Centres and field Stations. AnSI has published important publications viz. People of India Series: A. National Series: Vol. I to Vol. XI, B. State Series : Vol. XII to Vol. XLIII and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in India: Privileges and Predicaments. AnSI researchers/personnel conduct detailed field studies for collecting basic anthropological data as per the schemes/projects, guidelines/schedules and prepare reports for publication.
IGRMS organizes national workshops on Anthropology and Museum for P.G. Students and University Teachers on annual basis under various research projects in collaboration with different universities, other educational institutions and through its main Centre at Bhopal, Regional Centre at Mysore and other places in the Country. IGRMS has recently published important publications viz. Anthropology and the Future of Humankind, Ethno Medicine in India : a selective bibliography, Traditions of Masks in Indian Culture: An anthropological study of Majuli, Assam, Anthropology and health issues etc.