SRINAGAR: Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department (TAD), Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, who is also holding the charge of Director, Tribal Research Institute, reviewed the progress on various research projects initiated for welfare and development planning for tribal areas in different sectors. The research projects are aimed at policy interventions and development planning for tribal welfare.

Special Secretary, Mohammad Harun Malik, Jt Director Planning, Shama un Ahmed, Dr Abdul Khabir, Dy Director TRI and other officers participated in the meeting. Dr Khabir presented a detailed overview of tribal research projects which was followed by sector specific presentations by the project heads.

Secretary, Dr Shahid emphasised on quality research and comprehensive reports bringing out gaps in tribal development and welfare which will form basis for formulation of Tribal Sub-Plan and allocation of funds for inclusive development. He asked to prioritise healthcare, Education, livelihood, Skilling, Transhumant support system, culture and literature for perspective planning

Dr Shafiqa Gul and Syed Haamid Mehmood made a detailed presentation about plan for tribal artisans, their Skilling, input support and marketing. Dr Iram Ali and Subiaya Bashir presented about mapping of tribal villages, Dhoks- highland pastures, survey of springs, GIS maps to plan tribal development and other related initiatives.

Dr Annie Jamwal and Hashmat Habib shared the progress on research related to health infrastructure, healthcare delivery and service availability in tribal areas and proposed plans for inclusion in Tribal Health Plan.

Dr Simran Nag presented about impact of COVID-19 pandemic on education of tribal students and strategies for ensuring inclusive education. Archana Sharma and Abrar Qadir Mir shared their work related to impact of digitalisation on the society and culture of tribal communities in J&K, and proposal suggestions of bridging the digital divide in tribal areas.

Other research and development projects aimed at comprehensive planning for inclusive development of tribal population through Centrally Sponsored Schemes and UT budget included the presentations by Dr Ayaz Mehmood Dar for Geospatial technology based approach for area development planning, Dr Sajjad Ahmed Dar for food security, Participatory planning involving Self-Help Groups and linkages for forest dwelling communities by Sameer Khazir and Ashutosh Sharma, Role of tribal freedom fighters in freedom struggle by Mumtaz Ahmed Noomani and Munir Ahmed Malik.