Village Sojourn to Nala ka Kuan in Mandalgarh in Bhilwara
VILLAGE SOJOURN-II
I woke up as usual at 6.00 o’ clock and got ready for the 2nd phase of village sojourn. Unlike previous village stay, our jeep wouldn’t go to drop, for both the jeeps had been detailed/engaged for more urgent and imminent job pertaining to the organization. Also, no one from our office would accompany this time, except field staff (Shambuji). Therefore, Sunil bhaiya arrived at around 8.30 a.m. to pick me up only to drop at the Rajasthan State Roadways Bus Station of Bhilwara.
Having purchased a ticket to Triveni, I boarded a bus destined to Kota via Triveni and Mandalgarh. The bus left the station exactly at 9.30 a.m. I took a seat towards the window on the right side, and two ladies sat beside me on the left. Fellow passengers were staring at me, as if I were some unusual creature, though obviously, I was the only strange looking guy with long shabby hairs and untidy, untrimmed, sparse moustache and beard in the entire lot of passengers.
All along the journey, it was definitely not a bad trip, but the dilapidated roads, irritating sounds/noise of the windows and iron bars across them troubled a bit. At certain points along the route, the rickety bus was jam-packed and great many commuters struggled to stand properly along the narrow passage between the rows of seats pushing each other, swinging back and forth at every turn. At around 10.45 a.m., Shambuji rang me up, when the bus was standing for a brief halt at Bighod to pick up new passengers. From there, Triveni wasn’t far-off. So, I got ready and moved out of my seat towards the gate. Both the women slipped inside and occupied my place making way for my exit.
IN TRIVENI MARKET
Eventually, I reached Triveni. Having got off the bus, I was looking for Shambuji. I couldn’t spot him; there was no trace of him. Triveni market was full of bustle; vehicles moving through the tri-junction at every alternate seconds; tremendous people hurriedly moving hither and tither, and so on. I was standing beside the tri-junction longingly waiting for Shambuji to arrive any time soon. Alas! He didn’t still appear. I waited for 30 minutes or so, and almost got exhausted as well as frustrated standing under the tormenting heat of sun which was splashing my already black skin all the more dark; drops of sweats trickling down my cheeks relentlessly. Considering my uneasiness at that point of time, it was an awful wait. Since I expected him to be already there waiting for me, it was a disgusting event.
Nonetheless, he appeared finally; I took a great sigh of relief. I could notice him immediately as he, smartly, drove down his old-modeled Suzuki bike, with goggles put on his eyes seemingly lost in his youthful thoughts, and depicting his hard-earned enthusiasm, at least temporarily stepping into the realm of good old/lost days of youth. Though I was upset at his late arrival, I preferred to sink my unhappy emotions, and instead acted quite politely and normally. Thereafter, we started our ride towards Nala ka Kunwa. On the way, we halted at his home in Singoli. His wife served us a delicious roti within minutes of our arrival. Having spent 30 minutes, we straightly moved for our destination. We reached Nala ka Kunwa; it was already 2.00 o’clock of the day.
NALA KA KUAN
Nala ka Kuan is a hamlet of Barundni village, which falls under Barundni Panchayat Samiti. The hamlet is peopled by two major castes: Meena and Nath. The population of the hamlet isn’t more than 250, male, female and kids altogether. It is situated at the immediate foothills of two hillocks on one side; and a sufficiently large dam lies nearby which separates the hamlet from the main Barundni village. Of the hillocks, one is a degraded and near-barren patch with sporadic saplings and poles of Butea and Acacia nilotica, and the other is our plot, extending across entire hillock covering an area of 60 ha, also locally/traditionally termed the ‘Satvavri’.
EVENING IN NALA KA KUAN
As arranged already, I was placed at Devi Nathji’s home. Shambuji formally introduced me to Devi Nathji and his family members. Gradually, the sun hid behind the mountains, and the western sky was gloomily visible through the horizon. Shambuji finally left for his home and I stayed back. As the night fell in, darkness began to reign. Daily hasty life started disappearing and silence engulfed the surrounding. Birds were already safe in their nests, so were people in their homes with sheer rest. Dalu Nathji’s wife served dinner. The meal included 3 pieces of big and thick roti blended with desi ghee accompanied by highly spicy and hot cooked vegetable. The night sky was very clear; innumerable stars dotted all across the space, calmly twinkling and illuminating nature’s grace upon million of its creatures for peaceful co-existence and co-operation. In the midst, the blooming moon- shinning as a boon- partly wiped the darkness showering endless joy and happiness.
For my sleep, a locally made bed, knit with network of ropes/fibers of jute, tightly held on and tied to small woods of the bed made of Acacia nilotica tree, was placed beside the main-entrance gate of the home. Other male members also put their beds beside mine. Initially, I thought how would I get my sleep in that unfriendly-looking bed. It turned out to be only a hollow anxiousness and apprehension. Within minutes, I was deep asleep.
SUNRISE IN THE VILLAGE
The sun hadn’t yet arrived on the horizon, but the surrounding was all-visible with the illumination of the dawn. The air was filled with immense freshness; everything around seemed lively; birds, monkeys and little squirrels restored their energy; village emerged with activities from the dead-end and stillness of previous night; village-folk began untying their animals and their women started cooking. I freshened myself beside a tiny stream, which still possessed scanty water, but no longer flowing, behind the hillock. Country wind arrived and a wave of excitement prevailed through the surrounding. Every heart exhibited joy & pleasure, fun & laughter as sure treasure. Leaves were trembling and twigs twisting, humor and zest amidst, swinging forth & back- onetime slow, other time fast- displaying their inexplicable flow of love, the Nature’s law.
A GLIMPSE OF ‘SATVAVRI’
It was time for morning tea and breakfast. Honestly, while I couldn’t easily relish the Roti, tea was splendid. It soothed my soul and elevated my mind to the pedestal of eternity. Dressed in dark navy-blue t-shirt and green trouser, with olive-green hat on head and mud-colored small kit-bag behind the back, I set-out towards our plot.
On the way, I came to Bhavanji’s home. Bhavanaji is the secretary of Village Forest Protection and Management Committee. He was having his breakfast. I waited for him to finish the meal. In the mean time, his eldest daughter; he has 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls), served us tea. Though I refused initially, I couldn’t resist the fragrance of the tea. Thereafter, Bhavanaji and I marched towards the ‘Satvavri’. It’s been only 4 months since protection of the plot began, but the entire area was covered with lush green grasses; rootstocks of Anogeissus pendula were luxuriantly growing, with numerous tiny branches enthusiastically developing from the rootstock, seemingly exhibiting the new-found cheers and exhilaration from the years of harsh exploitation. A good number of trees of Butea monosperma, Acacia leucopholoea, Acacia nilotica, Phoenix slyvestris and Azadirachta indica dotted the plot. As such, the entire regeneration plot resembled a regularly and properly maintained meadow of any golf ground.
Both of us entered into the plot and tracked through the entire area, examining the conditions of loose boulders check dams, survival as well as mortality of seedlings planted, germination of grass (Cenchrus setigerus) and tree (Azadirachta indica) seeds sown during July. The guard of the plot (one among villagers) employed by the villagers also came along. All along the foothill of the plot, a grass locally called ‘Lafra’, is commonly available. This looked good and it was actually due to that that the plot gave the look it looked. But, as we moved further, it revealed its unfriendliness as well. The spikes of the grass pierced our (mine mostly) shoes and trouser and causing itching and irritation. Walking through the grass was rendered difficult. However, we continued our walk until we arrived at the end of the plot towards the side of Chittorgarh. I got really exhausted.
DISCUSSION & CONVERSATION
From there, we then went to Ramlalji’s field, the President of the Committee, where he was harvesting ripen maize with his wife. We relieved ourselves of the severe heat of sun beneath the shadow of a large neem tree in the middle of the field. A well was also there beside. I quenched my thirst first with the cold water of the well. While relaxing, I initiated discussions with Ramlalji about the functioning of the committee and also the response of the villagers in terms of co-operation in conducting meeting, complying with the rules and regulations framed for the protection of the plot, etc. Dry and warm breeze often blew through the air, and I frequently got lost into the world of imaginations, recalling my village and people. Truly, at times, I became very nostalgic.
Leaving them there, I returned towards Devi Nathji’s home. On the way, I encountered a farmer. I sat down again in his field. We engaged in a good-lengthy conversion, though I wasn’t able to perceive and understand his words, for he was not speaking in Hindi. So, I, mostly, either guessed what he meant or said only I wanted to. Finally, I returned to the house.
Later, in the evening, I had a long conversation with both Devi Nathji and Dalu Nathji. I tried to know as well as understand about the past of the village and the causes of the dwindling forest resources, cover, etc. Since my stay in this village was aimed at exploring the issues related to protection measures, follow-up activities and acceptance of the regenerated plot by the villagers, besides, a through observation, a mild scientific study of course of the plot, I concentrated myself to learning about the ‘Satvavri’ only. From his account, all the hillocks surrounding the hamlet were all wooded till not so long ago. Even, the one next to the Satvavri, on whose foothill the hamlet is situated, was adequately forested with species of Anogeissus pendula, Acacia nilotica, Butea monosperma, etc. Today, the hillock is highly degraded; only small stones would be found across the hillock; the soil depth is very less and evidently nutrient-poor. He further told that the rapid deforestation began only 40-50 years back. Both wood merchants and lower forest officials exploited the resources. The villagers themselves also tacitly contributed in the process. Our discussion dragged on till we started yawning.
Next day, the routine was the same as that of last two days, and rest of my village stay remained, more or less, similar. I would visit ‘Satvavri’ accompanied by Bhavanaji, would walk through the plot-sometimes counting various tree species, other times assessing the conditions of check-dams, mortality of the seedlings. Fortunately, I got a chance to see some wild animals: 5 nilghai and 2 foxes inside our plot during my visits. Besides, I would discuss with other villagers who were also members of the Village Forest Protection & Management Committee. I bombarded them with queries, initiated discussions with them, and so on and so forth. The villagers, their bodies- thin, black, wrinkled, drooping shoulders, nerves and veins markedly visible- half-clad in dhoti, shared their views and understanding about institutions, livelihood activities, village life, etc.
CONCLUSION
The people are aware of benefits of the protection of the plot. But they see the benefits only in terms of more production of grasses/fodder for their livestock, not in terms of reduced soil loss and increased water conservation. Actually, they aren’t able to easily perceive and apprehend the invisible good impacts of our regeneration work.Presently, the villagers are all-helpful and co-operative in management & monitoring of the plot; they contribute Rs. 50/- only per household for a guard for the plot. The guard roams through-out the plot, keep constant vigil and inform the village forest management & protection committee of any untoward or mischievous activities inside the plot. Also, the villagers keep their eyes occasionally on the plot even from their fields. So, there is no break of rules by any one from the village. Everyone agrees that the regeneration work is a job well-done by the FES, and they wholeheartedly welcome further such developmental works in the village.
I woke up as usual at 6.00 o’ clock and got ready for the 2nd phase of village sojourn. Unlike previous village stay, our jeep wouldn’t go to drop, for both the jeeps had been detailed/engaged for more urgent and imminent job pertaining to the organization. Also, no one from our office would accompany this time, except field staff (Shambuji). Therefore, Sunil bhaiya arrived at around 8.30 a.m. to pick me up only to drop at the Rajasthan State Roadways Bus Station of Bhilwara.
Having purchased a ticket to Triveni, I boarded a bus destined to Kota via Triveni and Mandalgarh. The bus left the station exactly at 9.30 a.m. I took a seat towards the window on the right side, and two ladies sat beside me on the left. Fellow passengers were staring at me, as if I were some unusual creature, though obviously, I was the only strange looking guy with long shabby hairs and untidy, untrimmed, sparse moustache and beard in the entire lot of passengers.
All along the journey, it was definitely not a bad trip, but the dilapidated roads, irritating sounds/noise of the windows and iron bars across them troubled a bit. At certain points along the route, the rickety bus was jam-packed and great many commuters struggled to stand properly along the narrow passage between the rows of seats pushing each other, swinging back and forth at every turn. At around 10.45 a.m., Shambuji rang me up, when the bus was standing for a brief halt at Bighod to pick up new passengers. From there, Triveni wasn’t far-off. So, I got ready and moved out of my seat towards the gate. Both the women slipped inside and occupied my place making way for my exit.
IN TRIVENI MARKET
Eventually, I reached Triveni. Having got off the bus, I was looking for Shambuji. I couldn’t spot him; there was no trace of him. Triveni market was full of bustle; vehicles moving through the tri-junction at every alternate seconds; tremendous people hurriedly moving hither and tither, and so on. I was standing beside the tri-junction longingly waiting for Shambuji to arrive any time soon. Alas! He didn’t still appear. I waited for 30 minutes or so, and almost got exhausted as well as frustrated standing under the tormenting heat of sun which was splashing my already black skin all the more dark; drops of sweats trickling down my cheeks relentlessly. Considering my uneasiness at that point of time, it was an awful wait. Since I expected him to be already there waiting for me, it was a disgusting event.
Nonetheless, he appeared finally; I took a great sigh of relief. I could notice him immediately as he, smartly, drove down his old-modeled Suzuki bike, with goggles put on his eyes seemingly lost in his youthful thoughts, and depicting his hard-earned enthusiasm, at least temporarily stepping into the realm of good old/lost days of youth. Though I was upset at his late arrival, I preferred to sink my unhappy emotions, and instead acted quite politely and normally. Thereafter, we started our ride towards Nala ka Kunwa. On the way, we halted at his home in Singoli. His wife served us a delicious roti within minutes of our arrival. Having spent 30 minutes, we straightly moved for our destination. We reached Nala ka Kunwa; it was already 2.00 o’clock of the day.
NALA KA KUAN
Nala ka Kuan is a hamlet of Barundni village, which falls under Barundni Panchayat Samiti. The hamlet is peopled by two major castes: Meena and Nath. The population of the hamlet isn’t more than 250, male, female and kids altogether. It is situated at the immediate foothills of two hillocks on one side; and a sufficiently large dam lies nearby which separates the hamlet from the main Barundni village. Of the hillocks, one is a degraded and near-barren patch with sporadic saplings and poles of Butea and Acacia nilotica, and the other is our plot, extending across entire hillock covering an area of 60 ha, also locally/traditionally termed the ‘Satvavri’.
EVENING IN NALA KA KUAN
As arranged already, I was placed at Devi Nathji’s home. Shambuji formally introduced me to Devi Nathji and his family members. Gradually, the sun hid behind the mountains, and the western sky was gloomily visible through the horizon. Shambuji finally left for his home and I stayed back. As the night fell in, darkness began to reign. Daily hasty life started disappearing and silence engulfed the surrounding. Birds were already safe in their nests, so were people in their homes with sheer rest. Dalu Nathji’s wife served dinner. The meal included 3 pieces of big and thick roti blended with desi ghee accompanied by highly spicy and hot cooked vegetable. The night sky was very clear; innumerable stars dotted all across the space, calmly twinkling and illuminating nature’s grace upon million of its creatures for peaceful co-existence and co-operation. In the midst, the blooming moon- shinning as a boon- partly wiped the darkness showering endless joy and happiness.
For my sleep, a locally made bed, knit with network of ropes/fibers of jute, tightly held on and tied to small woods of the bed made of Acacia nilotica tree, was placed beside the main-entrance gate of the home. Other male members also put their beds beside mine. Initially, I thought how would I get my sleep in that unfriendly-looking bed. It turned out to be only a hollow anxiousness and apprehension. Within minutes, I was deep asleep.
SUNRISE IN THE VILLAGE
The sun hadn’t yet arrived on the horizon, but the surrounding was all-visible with the illumination of the dawn. The air was filled with immense freshness; everything around seemed lively; birds, monkeys and little squirrels restored their energy; village emerged with activities from the dead-end and stillness of previous night; village-folk began untying their animals and their women started cooking. I freshened myself beside a tiny stream, which still possessed scanty water, but no longer flowing, behind the hillock. Country wind arrived and a wave of excitement prevailed through the surrounding. Every heart exhibited joy & pleasure, fun & laughter as sure treasure. Leaves were trembling and twigs twisting, humor and zest amidst, swinging forth & back- onetime slow, other time fast- displaying their inexplicable flow of love, the Nature’s law.
A GLIMPSE OF ‘SATVAVRI’
It was time for morning tea and breakfast. Honestly, while I couldn’t easily relish the Roti, tea was splendid. It soothed my soul and elevated my mind to the pedestal of eternity. Dressed in dark navy-blue t-shirt and green trouser, with olive-green hat on head and mud-colored small kit-bag behind the back, I set-out towards our plot.
On the way, I came to Bhavanji’s home. Bhavanaji is the secretary of Village Forest Protection and Management Committee. He was having his breakfast. I waited for him to finish the meal. In the mean time, his eldest daughter; he has 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls), served us tea. Though I refused initially, I couldn’t resist the fragrance of the tea. Thereafter, Bhavanaji and I marched towards the ‘Satvavri’. It’s been only 4 months since protection of the plot began, but the entire area was covered with lush green grasses; rootstocks of Anogeissus pendula were luxuriantly growing, with numerous tiny branches enthusiastically developing from the rootstock, seemingly exhibiting the new-found cheers and exhilaration from the years of harsh exploitation. A good number of trees of Butea monosperma, Acacia leucopholoea, Acacia nilotica, Phoenix slyvestris and Azadirachta indica dotted the plot. As such, the entire regeneration plot resembled a regularly and properly maintained meadow of any golf ground.
Both of us entered into the plot and tracked through the entire area, examining the conditions of loose boulders check dams, survival as well as mortality of seedlings planted, germination of grass (Cenchrus setigerus) and tree (Azadirachta indica) seeds sown during July. The guard of the plot (one among villagers) employed by the villagers also came along. All along the foothill of the plot, a grass locally called ‘Lafra’, is commonly available. This looked good and it was actually due to that that the plot gave the look it looked. But, as we moved further, it revealed its unfriendliness as well. The spikes of the grass pierced our (mine mostly) shoes and trouser and causing itching and irritation. Walking through the grass was rendered difficult. However, we continued our walk until we arrived at the end of the plot towards the side of Chittorgarh. I got really exhausted.
DISCUSSION & CONVERSATION
From there, we then went to Ramlalji’s field, the President of the Committee, where he was harvesting ripen maize with his wife. We relieved ourselves of the severe heat of sun beneath the shadow of a large neem tree in the middle of the field. A well was also there beside. I quenched my thirst first with the cold water of the well. While relaxing, I initiated discussions with Ramlalji about the functioning of the committee and also the response of the villagers in terms of co-operation in conducting meeting, complying with the rules and regulations framed for the protection of the plot, etc. Dry and warm breeze often blew through the air, and I frequently got lost into the world of imaginations, recalling my village and people. Truly, at times, I became very nostalgic.
Leaving them there, I returned towards Devi Nathji’s home. On the way, I encountered a farmer. I sat down again in his field. We engaged in a good-lengthy conversion, though I wasn’t able to perceive and understand his words, for he was not speaking in Hindi. So, I, mostly, either guessed what he meant or said only I wanted to. Finally, I returned to the house.
Later, in the evening, I had a long conversation with both Devi Nathji and Dalu Nathji. I tried to know as well as understand about the past of the village and the causes of the dwindling forest resources, cover, etc. Since my stay in this village was aimed at exploring the issues related to protection measures, follow-up activities and acceptance of the regenerated plot by the villagers, besides, a through observation, a mild scientific study of course of the plot, I concentrated myself to learning about the ‘Satvavri’ only. From his account, all the hillocks surrounding the hamlet were all wooded till not so long ago. Even, the one next to the Satvavri, on whose foothill the hamlet is situated, was adequately forested with species of Anogeissus pendula, Acacia nilotica, Butea monosperma, etc. Today, the hillock is highly degraded; only small stones would be found across the hillock; the soil depth is very less and evidently nutrient-poor. He further told that the rapid deforestation began only 40-50 years back. Both wood merchants and lower forest officials exploited the resources. The villagers themselves also tacitly contributed in the process. Our discussion dragged on till we started yawning.
Next day, the routine was the same as that of last two days, and rest of my village stay remained, more or less, similar. I would visit ‘Satvavri’ accompanied by Bhavanaji, would walk through the plot-sometimes counting various tree species, other times assessing the conditions of check-dams, mortality of the seedlings. Fortunately, I got a chance to see some wild animals: 5 nilghai and 2 foxes inside our plot during my visits. Besides, I would discuss with other villagers who were also members of the Village Forest Protection & Management Committee. I bombarded them with queries, initiated discussions with them, and so on and so forth. The villagers, their bodies- thin, black, wrinkled, drooping shoulders, nerves and veins markedly visible- half-clad in dhoti, shared their views and understanding about institutions, livelihood activities, village life, etc.
CONCLUSION
The people are aware of benefits of the protection of the plot. But they see the benefits only in terms of more production of grasses/fodder for their livestock, not in terms of reduced soil loss and increased water conservation. Actually, they aren’t able to easily perceive and apprehend the invisible good impacts of our regeneration work.Presently, the villagers are all-helpful and co-operative in management & monitoring of the plot; they contribute Rs. 50/- only per household for a guard for the plot. The guard roams through-out the plot, keep constant vigil and inform the village forest management & protection committee of any untoward or mischievous activities inside the plot. Also, the villagers keep their eyes occasionally on the plot even from their fields. So, there is no break of rules by any one from the village. Everyone agrees that the regeneration work is a job well-done by the FES, and they wholeheartedly welcome further such developmental works in the village.
posted by Nyal Lee | 12:27 AM
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