Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar

Context

The Ministry of Culture has mapped 4.7 lakh villages under the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) portal as part of the National Mission on Cultural Mapping.

National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

The National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) is a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Culture and is implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
The mission seeks to preserve, document, and map the cultural resources of India to foster economic development, particularly in rural areas.
As part of the mission, the “Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD)” portal was launched in June 2023 during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
The portal aims to document 6.5 lakh villages, encompassing elements such as:
- Oral traditions
- Beliefs and customs
- Fairs and festivals
- Traditional food, clothing, and ornaments
- Historical landmarks
- Local art forms and artists
- Cultural practices of marginalized and tribal communities
As of July 2025, data from 4.7 lakh villages have been uploaded, with 5,917 villages mapped in West Bengal out of a target of 41,116.
This initiative helps in preservation of intangible cultural heritage, strengthens grassroots cultural identity, and creates scope for rural tourism and economic revitalization.