All tribal worship places to be conserved, renovated: Jharkhand CM Hemant

CM lays foundation stone of Rs 5 Cr tribal worship place renovation project

Ranchi, Apr 7: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the beautification project of ‘Kendriya Sarna Sthal’ (central tribal worship place) at Siram Toli in the heart of Ranchi in a bid to preserve tribal culture and tradition.

At an estimated cost of Rs 4.98 crore, the Sarna Sthal where tribal religious practices are held for a long time will see development of various facilities, including construction of the state’s first traditional art and culture building, on around 42 decimal areas.

Soren said that tribal communities are worshipers of nature but development is also required.

“There is a need to strike a balance between nature and development,” the chief minister said.

Soren said that his government has taken a resolution to preserve all Sarna sites in Jharkhand so that coming generations could be aware of their historical importance.

He asked the people of the state to inform the administration if any site of tribal importance needs to be developed and protected.

“The government will definitely make a move in that direction,” Soren said.

The chief minister had announced renovation and conservation of ‘Kendriya Sarna Sthal’ at Siram Toli on the occasion of Sarhul, one of the key tribal festivals, on April 4

The Chief Minister said that tribal societies like to live with nature.

“Tribals worshiper of nature. But, today there is talk of development everywhere. Therefore, there is a need to strike a balance between nature and development. Because, when the natural order will survive, only then will the tribal society and culture survive. If we analyze the tribal society from ancient times till date, then we can say that there has been no decrease in their confidence and determination. This is the reason why religious places like Sarna Sthal work to bind us together,” said Soren.

The chief minister said that he would be personally monitoring the construction of the tribal worship places so that there is no compromise on quality of construction as he had been doing in the construction of Dhumkudiya Bhawan in Karamtoli in Ranchi and ensure that construction work is done fast.

The beautification project will see a five-storied building with a hall while artisans from Odisha will do gate and boundary wall construction with paintings on tribal culture and martyrs of Jharkhand. A library will also be built for students.