Sacred Banni lends Amaritya a new lease of life
Over the past four-odd decades, the dense forests that once surrounded the Amaritya village gradually disappeared. The hills became barren and the groundwater table significantly dropped due to excessive water extraction. Even 800 ft-deep tube wells began to dry up.
Irrigation was reduced from four to just two cycles per season as most of the rainfall occurring between July and September was lost to flash floods.
With agriculture and livestock rearing being the primary sources of livelihood, the struggles of the villagers were further compounded due to deforestation, water scarcity, severe soil erosion and overgrazing.
Devnarayan temple at the sacred grove Banni in Amaritya is surrounded by an ecologically protected area. It led the villagers to follow the same model to restore the common village land. (Photo by Harshal Mankar)
The small village of Amaritya, located 60 km southwest of Bhilwara in Rajasthan, with a modest population of 592 people, was on the brink of breaking down. The lush greenery of dense forests got resigned to the far corner of collective memory.
Sacred groves: The Banni of Amaritya
Banni, a sacred grove in Amaritya, named after the local folk deity Bhagwan Devnarayan, emerged as the beacon of hope in this bleak scenario. The temple of the deity is located within Banni and has been a revered place of worship for more than a century. Spanning approximately 20 hectares, the sacred grove draws people from the 12 neighbouring villages.
Legend has it that the deity, like Lord Krishna, was a protector of cows. He is said to have owned a vast herd of 98,000 cattle and led an army of cowherds to protect the livestock. He passed on a message to his followers – the importance of protecting cows and the land they depend on.
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This spiritual belief kept Banni protected. The community upheld the practice of preserving its natural beauty and resources. It is rich with species like Dhokra, Babul, and Neem. No cutting or lopping of the trees is allowed and only dry wood is used for the temple rituals and cremation purposes.
It all started with the belief in preserving this sacred space and the idea soon grew. If Banni could be protected, why not the village’s common land?
Today, Banni’s story stands out as a symbol of community-driven conservation, merging spiritual devotion with ecological preservation.
Building an enabling environment: The role of Devnarayan Jalgrahan Vikas Samiti
In 1999, the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) began discussions to address the degradation of the common land and falling incomes in the village. This led to the formation of the Devnarayan Jalgrahan Vikas Samiti in 2002, rooted in traditional and spiritual wisdom.