Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday inaugurated upgraded infrastructure of 3000 "sacred tribal groves" and 400 tribal cultural clubs in nine districts through video conferencing from the state secretariat here.
Patnaik also felicitated tribal artists of nine special development councils operating in those tribal dominated districts of the state.
The chief minister also dedicated new facilities for tribals that have been completed by the tribal councils in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts.
"It is our duty to preserve the tribal arts and culture," Patnaik said after inaugurating the facilities. He said the special development councils have been operating as expected.
At least 25,000 tribal artists have been provided with artisan cards, he said.
The state government in March, 2018 had constituted special development councils in the nine tribal dominated districts where activities were going on to preserve and conserve culture and traditions of 62 categories of tribals including those belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG).
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The councils provides musical instruments for cultural clubs, dance costumes to dance troupes and sports kits.
The councils also work for setting up tribal museum to preserve the tribal art and culture, officials said.
Patnaik talked to tribal artists through video conferencing and also released three books on tribal culture.
However, opposition BJP asserted that as per Article 244 of the Constitution, it is the lookout of the governor to decide the nature of implementation of welfare programmes of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
Stating that tribals constitute 23 per cent of Odisha's population, BJP spokesperson Pitambar Acharya alleged that the chief minister has been misusing the power of the governor on this matter.
He alleged that the state government has not convened meeting of the Tribal Advisory Council for several years.