A museum representing the nature-friendly culture and lifestyle of the tribes of Tamil Nadu is being set up at the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) at a cost of ₹7 crore.
Called the Tribal Eco Cultural Village, it will showcase the livelihood of tribals and their closeness to nature.
The museum will come up on 20 hectares at Karachikorai village of the Bhavani Sagar Range. Work is expected to be completed next year after which it will be thrown open to tourists.
The museum will focus on the cultural landscape of hills and the natural heritage of tribes. It will have model houses of different tribes, their dress, musical instruments, stones and wooden products they use.
A Sanga Ilakkiyam studio, an outdoor interpretation centre, an indoor auditorium, an open atrium, a tribal shady, a tribal food court, and medicinal plants garden in front of each tribal model house are being planned.
The village is located 13 km from Bannari on the road to Thengumarahada along the water spread area of Bhavani Sagar Reservoir.
The State government has sanctioned funds as part of the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII), under the State Innovation Fund for 2018-19 for the museum.
Highlighting heritage
Officials told The Hindu that the museum would highlight the heritage of tribal people in the State and showcase their rich cultural practices.
A market for tribal artefacts to support their livelihood and create employment opportunities to the craftsman is also on the anvil.
Minister for Forest Dindigul C. Sreenivasan, Ministers K.A. Sengottaiyan and K.C. Karuppannan laid the foundation stone. Erode Collector C. Kathiravan, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest H. Malleshappa participated in the event.
