Centre to release Rs 2.5 cr for Sammakka-Saralamma Jatra

Hyderabad: Union Minister of Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy on Sunday announced that the Centre has approved to release an amount of Rs 2.5 crore, through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism, for celebrating the four-day Sammakka-Saralamma Jatra at Medaram, a tiny village of Mulugu district in Telangana, from February 16. In a statement here, Mr Reddy said that the Sammakka Saralamma Jathara is the country’s biggest tribal fair which takes place once every two years. It is said to be one of the largest gatherings of tribal communities. The Minister highlighted the role of the Government in promoting tribal culture and heritage and said, “Since 2014 Union Ministry of Tourism, under the Domestic promotion and Publicity including hospitality scheme had released Rs 2.45 crore for celebrating several festivals across the state of Telangana”. These funds will be utilised for construction of conventional compound wall and barbed mesh wire fencing in Chilakala Gutta, Execution of murals on the Fencing wall of Chilakala Gutta, Arrangement of digital kiosks in the Tribal Museum at Medaram, Establishment of replica Koya model village in the premises of Tribal Museum at Medaram, Research and Documentation of 10 Minor Koya Festivals that include Ailapur Sammakka Jatara, Chirumalla Sammakka Jatara, Sadalamma Tirunala at Duginepalle, Velpulamma Theertham at Macherla, Kommalamma at Enchaguda, Kasalanayakuni Jatara at Gangaram, Chaduvulamma Theertham at Mahadevpur, Edira Jatara and Bayyakkapeta Jatara. He said, “As a part of Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism undertook projects to develop the Tribal Circuit of Mulugu, Laknavaram, Medavaram, Tadvai, Damaravi, Mallur and Bogatha waterfalls. The Government of India sanctioned approximately Rs 80 crore for the Tribal Circuit in Telangana and this included the construction of tourist amenities centre, amphitheatre, public convenience facilities, cottages, tented accommodation, gazebos, seating Benches, solid waste management infrastructure, solar lights, landscaping and drinking water fountains in Medaram.” Funds will also be allocated for competitions like photography, shortfilm, paintings, sculptures, and the arrangement of tribal cultural programmes during the Medaram Jathara, Economic Support to Koya Dance Troupes, Kommu Koya, Rela Dance Troupes, Painting Unit by considering them as MSME Units and other programmes, Mr Reddy said.