Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram Inaugurates Tribes Art Fest 2026 Featuring Over 30 Tribal Artforms, 75 Tribal Artists and 1,000 Artworks

• March 02, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The exhibition features art traditions such as Warli (Maharashtra), Gond (Madhya Pradesh), Bhil (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat), Dokra (West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha), Sohrai (Jharkhand), Koya (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh), Kurumba (Tamil Nadu), Saura (Odisha), Bodo (Assam and North-East), Oraon (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh), Mandana (Rajasthan, MP), Godna (Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh), bamboo crafts from the North-East and several others, demonstrating both regional diversity and civilisational continuity. Recognising that tribal art embodies sustainability and harmony, values critical for modern India, the festival also features contemporary expressions and collaborative works between tribal and contemporary artists, including strong participation from the North-East.

Beyond exhibition, TAF includes panel discussions on themes such as Tribal Art Revival & Sustainable Futures, Tribal Art in Contemporary Spaces, and Livelihoods & Market Linkages. The programme also includes participatory workshops, storytelling through tribal arts, illustrated talks and live demonstrations. Over 100 tribal students pursuing art from across India are being provided curated walkthroughs, mentorship sessions with senior tribal artists, and exposure to live creative processes.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Showcases AI-Driven Tribal Development Initiatives at India AI Impact Summit 2026

• February 17, 2026

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs participated in the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The ministry dedicated exhibition stall, themed “AI for Inclusive & Empowered Tribal Communities,” to present a cohesive digital ecosystem designed to strengthen governance delivery, preserve cultural heritage, and bridge digital divides across tribal regions. Recognising the geographic dispersion and socio-cultural diversity of tribal populations, the Ministry has adopted a community-driven model integrated with emerging AI tools. Engagement with national and global AI practitioners at the Summit is expected to further refine and expand these interventions.

North Eastern Region Agri-Commodity e-Connect (NERACE) app

• February 05, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The NE-RACE platform supports buyer–seller matchmaking and provides logistics-related guidance through a multi-lingual helpdesk, field-level support, and State Coordinators, who assist in onboarding, resolving operational issues, and facilitating communication. These measures aim to strengthen digital market access and improve market preparedness of farmers in Sikkim.

Strengthen Agro-forestry and Bamboo based Economic Clusters in NER

• February 04, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

As per Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, to promote agroforestry, the Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) since 2023-24. The scheme focuses on establishing and strengthening nurseries and supplying Quality Planting Material including seeds, seedlings, clones, hybrids, and improved varieties to farmers for increasing tree cover on farmlands. It is implemented by States/UTs across the country, including those in the North Eastern Region. In Assam, assistance has been provided for nursery creation, training, and free sapling distribution including those in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.

NBA Releases ₹6.2 Crore as Access and Benefit Sharing funds to beneficiaries in Five States

• December 11, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released ₹6.2 crore to beneficiaries on 11.12.2025 under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It will support the conservation of the endangered Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and forest- dependent communities in five states.

The ABS funds have been released to State Forest Departments, State Biodiversity Boards, and Red Sanders growers, who continue to play a pivotal role in protecting this endemic and globally valued species. The latest disbursement supports the sustained conservation and responsible utilisation of Red Sanders. Of the newly released ₹6.2 crore, ₹17.8 lakh will go to farmers in Telangana and ₹1.1 crore to farmers in Andhra Pradesh. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department will receive ₹2.98 crore, the Karnataka Forest Department will get ₹1.05 crore, the Maharashtra Forest Department will receive ₹69.2 lakh, and the Telangana Forest Department will receive ₹5.8 lakh. In addition, ₹16.0 lakh is shared amongst the respective state biodiversity boards.

COP with record indigenous participation secures territorial protection and mechanisms to strengthen the agenda

• December 04, 2025

Source: UNFCCC, COP30 Brasil 2025

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Pará, hosted at least 5,000 Indigenous individuals who participated in debates in various capacities, according to the Indigenous movement in dialogue with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (Ministério dos Povos Indígenas/ MPI). The Ministry also reported that approximately 3,500 members of the original population were accommodated at the Aldeia COP (COP Village), a large structure set up at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA).

Indigenous groups led the conference agenda through a variety of actions —including debates with negotiators in the Blue Zone, the unprecedented Peoples' Summit, and the Circle of Peoples Pavilion in the Green Zone, presided over by Minister of Indigenous Peoples Ms. Sonia Guajajara. Ms. Guajajara stressed that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's establishment of the MPI granted Indigenous autonomy in several areas and was pivotal in ensuring a robust Indigenous presence at the COP.

NESTS organizes two-day workshop on Building Quality Infrastructure for Tribal Education

• November 24, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) successfully organized a two-day workshop on “Building Quality Infrastructure for Tribal Education” on 21-22 November 2025 at Akashvani Bhawan, New Delhi. The workshop is part of the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure for tribal communities through Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

The sessions covered key technical areas such as project planning and monitoring, geotechnical investigations, material testing, earthwork, and reinforcement practices specific to tribal areas. Detailed discussions were held on architectural layouts, planning frameworks, and region-specific construction challenges. Participants highlighted the importance of customizing construction approaches to the geographical and cultural contexts of tribal communities to ensure long-term sustainability.

"Indigenous Peoples remind us that the health of our lands, waters, and skies is inseparable from the health of our communities, our economies, and our shared future."

• November 13, 2025

Source: UN News

Mr Simon Stiell, Secretary, UN Climate Change Executive stated Indigenous Peoples remind us that the health of our lands, waters, and skies are inseparable from the health of our communities, our economies, and our shared future during COP30 Presidency Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples in Belém, Brazil, on 13 November 2025. He added this is the spirit we must carry through COP30: to turn credible commitments into holistic delivery, and through that delivery, achieve true transformation. Across the UNFCCC process, Parties have recognised the rights, values, and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples. But too often, these words have not translated into lived experience. Our task is to move from citation to application – ensuring that Indigenous worldviews and leadership help shape how climate action is designed, implemented, and measured.

Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates North Eastern Science & Technology (NEST) Cluster and lays foundation stone for ₹635 crore development projects in Assam

• November 03, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the North Eastern Science & Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati and laid the foundation stone for transformative development projects worth ₹635 crore across Assam.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Government of Assam, representatives of educational institutions, and members of the scientific and entrepreneurial community.
The Minister laid the foundation stone for projects totalling ₹635 crore, aimed at catalysing growth, connectivity, and opportunity across Assam — strengthening its role as the gateway to Southeast Asia.

Key projects include:

- Infrastructure Development of 65 New Secondary School Buildings – ₹455 Cr

- Upgradation of Chayagaon–Ukium Road – ₹102.69 Cr

- RCC Bridge at Silonijan–Dhansiri Par Ghat – ₹20.59 Cr

- Development of Industrial Estate at Ramphalbil (Kokrajhar) – ₹14.40 Cr

- Development of Industrial Estate at Lakhibazar (Baksa) – ₹18.40 Cr

Launch of ''Indigenous Knowledge, Ancestral Places: Navigating Change in UNESCO Designated Sites''

• October 16, 2025

Source: UNESCO

UNESCO launched a flagship publication highlighting Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems and perspectives within UNESCO Global Geoparks, Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage sites.

The book, accompanied by an online resource, compiles 21 testimonials—environmental, cultural, philosophical, and intellectual expressions of Indigenous knowledge, values, practices, cosmologies, and governance systems. These accounts shine a light on the people who have intimately known, cared for, and evolved alongside some of the world’s most iconic sites for generations.