• To preserve and promote India’s rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture established the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM). 

• Implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), the mission aims to document India’s cultural heritage and its potential to revitalise rural economics.

• NMCM launched Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) portal in June 2023.

Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Programme

• The Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar (MGMD) Programme is an initiative to document and preserve India’s diverse cultural heritage. 

• The initiative aims to create a comprehensive digital repository of the cultural assets of 6.5 lakh villages across India, covering aspects such as oral traditions, folk arts, festivals, traditional attire, local cuisines, and historical landmarks. 

• Currently, 4.7 lakh villages have been successfully mapped and uploaded on the MGMD portal (mgmd.gov.in), making their cultural portfolios accessible to the public.

• One of the key objectives of MGMD is to revitalise rural economies by leveraging cultural heritage for tourism and local entrepreneurship.

• The programme places special emphasis on documenting the traditions of marginalised communities and lesser-known art forms, ensuring their preservation for future generations. 

• No financial assistance has been allocated to states for the implementation of this programme, as it is currently managed and funded by central agencies.

• The MGMD portal serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and cultural enthusiasts, providing insights into India’s intangible heritage, such as folk performances, rituals, and indigenous knowledge systems.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)