The Increasing pace of development in the NER is exerting massive pressure on the autonomous tribal communities in respect of their cultures, traditions, livelihood practices, languages & dialects and also on the biotic and abiotic components. As such some of these languages and dialects encompassing cherished civilizational discourses have already become vulnerable to moribund. The contributing factors to the vanishing of languages in NER are better job prospects in the English language, conversion to and impact of churches in the choice of lingua franca, inappropriate language policies framed for administrative conveniences, etc.
A language and its dialects are specific to ethnicity and are the carrier of discourse, intangible heritage and evolution of the ethnic culture. Besides, each language and dialect embodies the unique cultural and historical genius and living wisdom of the community. India is said to have already lost many languages. UNESCO has declared 197 Indian languages as endangered. Dialects in particular are on the verge of extinction. With the senior members of the tribal communities leaving for the heavenly abode, the dialects/expressions of these cultures are far less used and will eventually become extinct. Sustained preservation, continuous development and longevity of the culture cannot be ensured without a robust language code. Intangible cultural heritage emanates from ethnicity, psychological and mythological beliefs and experiences. Thus, it becomes of utmost necessity to preserve, promote and enrich the linguistic and dialectic diversity of the NER.