(a) whether any initiative is being taken by the Government to conduct a survey of the places of ancient, religious, and historical importance to conserve and encourage Laghu Melas and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any action plan is being chalked out by the Government in this regard; and
(c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (c) No such formal survey has been conducted, however, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur with the following mandate:
i. To preserve and promote the projection and dissemination of arts in the concerned zone;
ii. To develop and promote their rich cultural diversity;
iii. To encourage folk and tribal arts and aid the preservation of vanishing arts;
iv. To involve youth in creative cultural communication, and lay special emphasis on the linkages among different areas and their contribution to Indian culture;
v. Documentation & Data collection of vanishing art forms;
vi. Collection & Dissemination of regional histories & narratives in oral traditions.