Formation and Functions of Bhumij Development Board

<p><strong>“West Bengal Bhumij Development Board”</strong> has been constituted in accordance with Resolution No. 157-TDD/12S-05/2024 dated 07.03.2024 issued by the Tribal Welfare Department, and it was duly published in the <em>Kolkata Gazette Extraordinary</em> on 7 March 2024. The “West Bengal Bhumij Development Board” has been registered on 16.07.2025 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961. The head office of the Board has been established in Purulia, and a sub-office has been set up in Jhargram.</p><p><br></p><p>As per Order No. 638-TDD/12S-05/2024 dated 04.09.2024 issued by the Tribal Welfare Department, the functions of the “West Bengal Bhumij Development Board” are being temporarily conducted from the office of the Divisional Commissioner of Medinipur Division. At present, the office is functioning from the ground floor of the Divisional Commissioner’s office of Medinipur Division, located at Hospital Road, Keranitola, Medinipur town.</p><p><br></p><p>The Divisional Commissioner of Medinipur Division has been appointed as the Chairman of the “Bhumij Development Board”. The Special Divisional Commissioner of Medinipur Division has been appointed as the Member Secretary of the “West Bengal Bhumij Development Board”.</p><p><br></p><p>In order to achieve the objectives for which the West Bengal Bhumij Development Board has been established, the Board has decided to hold meetings for approving various orders. These objectives are clearly recorded in the “Memorandum of Association” attached to the Registration Deed. <strong>These objectives include undertaking all necessary activities for the protection, promotion, and preservation of the Bhumij language, heritage, and culture; promoting and developing traditional tribal folk art, folk music, dance, and culture; expanding education and traditional sports within the community; promoting technical and vocational training and education among the Bhumij community; preserving historical and cultural artifacts and objects, as well as the structures and festivals of the Bhumij community; providing healthcare services and meeting the nutritional needs of elderly and physically challenged persons; working towards the promotion of tourism in Bhumij-inhabited areas and assisting in livelihood development activities; taking initiatives to popularize, promote, and improve the quality of traditional products of artisans, farmers, and others, and assisting artists and craftsmen associated with traditional occupations, etc.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>To accelerate the development of the Bhumij community in West Bengal, the Board has completed 6 general meetings on 25.09.24, 28.11.24, 27.01.25, 16.05.25, 23.09.25, and 19.12.25. According to the decisions taken in these meetings, several projects have been undertaken and some works have been completed. Among the completed works, a few notable ones are as follows:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Construction of boundary walls around the land of Megaliths (Hadshali) belonging to the clans of Darbederia (Gotra Badda), Shashandi (Ubushari), and Deoli (Badda) in Balarampur Block of Purulia district.</li><li>Construction of fencing with gate at Bauridih and Deuli in Hirbandh Block of Bankura.</li><li>Renovation of Jaher Than at Bhimarjuni in Binpur-2 Block of Jhargram.</li><li>Repair and renovation of the Bhumij Board office at Purulia Zilla Parishad.</li><li>Installation of a solar submersible pump near Pitanau Sukher Chadar School in Gopiballavpur-1 Block of Jhargram.</li><li>Distribution of musical instruments among music groups in the four districts of Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, and Paschim Medinipur.</li><li>Celebration of the traditional Bhumij festival “Maghburu” in January–February 2026 (i.e., the Bengali month of Magh) in the four districts of Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, and Paschim Medinipur.</li><li>The Hon’ble Divisional Commissioner, Medinipur Division, visited the districts of Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, and Paschim Medinipur on 03.12.25, 05.12.25, 08.12.25, and 15.12.25, and held meetings with general members of the Bhumij community, along with the Vice-Chairman and members, to address the problems of the community. The West Bengal Bhumij Development Board is committed to undertaking more people-oriented projects for the overall development of the Bhumij community.&nbsp;</li></ul>