TRI

Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Manipur is a research body of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at state level.  It is one of the 28 Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Manipur was established in 1987 with the approval of the Government of India and remained as a section of the Directorate of Development of Tribals & Scheduled Castes, Manipur till the State Government, as a policy matter, decided to bifurcate TRI fromthe Directorate of Development of Tribals& Scheduled Castes, Manipur in a Cabinet Meeting held on 28-12-2006.  Accordingly, necessary order was issued by the Administrative Department on 31st May, 2007 vide Government Order No. 30/10/2004-TD(Pt) dated 31st May, 2007 bifurcating Tribal Research Institute from the Directorate of Tribal Affairs & Hills, Manipur to function as a separate Department headed by a Joint Director as Head of the Department.  It is now located at Chingmeirong, Imphal along the National Highway-2.TRI, Manipur is now upgraded to full-fledged Directorate as “Directorate of Tribal Research Institute, Manipur” vide Manipur Gazette No. 229 dated 28.10.2020.  Tribal Research Institute Manipur is under the administrative control of the State Government.Main units of TRI, Manipur include its Museum and Library.

Activities

Tribal Research Institute, Manipur undertakes various activities with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India and State Government focusing on its core mandated responsibility as a body of knowledge and research for tribal development, preservation of tribal cultural heritage, providing inputs to government for evidence based planning and appropriate legislations, capacity building of tribals and persons&institutions associated with tribal affairs, dissemination of information and creation of awareness.It promotes Tribal culture, tradition, customs, craft, art, language, traditional medicinal practices through various means.   Tribal Research Institute, Manipur performs mandated activities outlined in the Operational Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India from time to time.  Besides the mandated and approved annual activities, TRI Manipur carries out various activities that are assigned to it from time to time by the State Government. 

Main activities

  1. Research & Documentation (including Audio/Video): Ethnographic studies, monographs and research works on tribal ways of life and practices on various recognized tribes in the states. The Institute also produces tribal documentary films.
  2. Baseline studies:  The Institute conducts Baseline Studies for smaller tribal groups in the State.
  3. Conducts evaluation study of government welfare programmes and impact assessment such as TSP, MGNREGA, etc.
  4. Preservation& promotion of Tribal languages and dialects:  It takes up various steps for promotion and preservation of tribal languages and dialects.  It works for development of Primers for the tribes that are yet to have their own Primers, provides financial assistance to Tribal Literature Societies for printing and publication of approved text books in tribal languages for primary and secondary levels of education.  It also publishes books written by tribal writers on tribal culture, history, literature, tribal practices;publishestranslation of works on constitutional laws, acts and important government guidelines; publishes success stories of individual achievers and also autobiographies in English. 
  5. Organises various Seminars, Conferences and Workshops on issues and challenges related to tribals such as health, education, skill development, livelihood, culture, etc.  It conducts Workshops on skill upgradation and capacity building.
  6. Training and Capacity building programme for department staff and officials, teachers, career guidance programmes for tribal youth and students, capacity building of tribal artisans and artists.
  7. Organises cultural festivals.
  8. Organises Inter-State Exchange of visits by tribals to other parts of the country. Tribal groups are sent to other states to study socio-economic development and best practices of other areas including participating in the Tribal Festivals organized by TRIs.
  9. Organises various awareness campaigns and trainings such as Poshan Maah, Swachhata Hi Seva, awareness programmes on Forest Rights Act, Constitutional provisions in respect of Scheduled tribes and any Government programme from time to time.
  10. Organizes state level competition for tribal artists such as painting, photography, film making, etc. to identify, nurture and promote tribal talents.
  11. Provides Financial Assistance to prominent tribal artists& apex Tribal Cultural organisations,societies of recognized tribes for procurement of cultural items, musical instruments, dress and ornaments etc., to promote and preserve Tribal Arts & Cultural activities.